News
The U.S. port of Los Angeles handled 623,234 TEUs of containers in March, which surged 28% from the previous month but plunged 35% (335,000 TEUs) from a monthly record set in the same month of 2022. Imports of laden containers accounted for 319,961 TEUs, down 35.4%; exports of laden containers, 98,276 TEUs, down 12.1%; and empties, 204,995 TEUs, down 41.7%. In January-March, the port processed 1,837,093 TEUs, which plummeted 31.5% from the corresponding three months of the previous year.
Executive Director Gene Seroka projected at a press conference on Wednesday that containers to and from Los Angeles are gradually recovering and will swell 12% from March to reach 700,000 TEUs in April and that this year's peak season will be as busy as usual.
The port suspended cargo handling services earlier this month due to a shortage of labor. Seroka expected there will be no escalations in labor disputes and that agreement will be reached after 11 months of tough negotiations. He also indicated he had worked closely with the secretary of labor since the service suspensions.
