Los Angeles port volumes softened in October

The Port of Los Angeles logged 678,429 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in cargo volume in October, a 25% decline compared with October 2021 volume.

The port processed a total 8,542,944 TEUs during the first 10 months of 2022, down 6% from last year’s record pace, port officials said in a press release.

Loaded imports during the month reached 336,307 TEUs, down 28%, while loaded exports reached 89,722 TEUs, down 8.7%. The port also recorded empty container volume at 252,401 TEUs, a 25% drop year over year.

The dip in port activity was attributed to cargo owners shipping their goods earlier this year, said Executive Director Gene Seroka. Shippers also have shifted cargo to the East Coast due to ongoing labor negotiations at some West Coast shipping hubs, he said.

"Our peak season was in June and July instead of September and October," Seroka said.

Pacific Harbor Line Inc. serves the port. It interchanges with BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad.