Ports of LA, Long Beach post higher volume in February

The Port of Los Angeles processed 725,059 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) last month, marking the busiest February in the port's 111-year history.

February's volumes rose 16 percent compared to last year. For the first two months of 2018, overall volumes climbed 5.6 percent compared to the first two months of 2017, which was the port's best year on record, port officials said in a press release.

The February surge is due in part to the Lunar New Year, which fell later this year. Shippers moved cargo ahead of the holiday celebrated in Asia. As a result, March volumes are expected to be lighter this year.

February 2018 imports increased 28.1 percent to 383,089 TEUs compared to the previous year. Exports increased 1.4 percent to 157,591 TEUs, while empty containers increased 7.8 percent to 184,378 TEUs.

Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach processed 661,790 TEUs in February, a 32.8 percent increase compared to February 2017 volumes. Imports at Long Beach rose 37 percent to 342,247 TEUs. The port handled 130,916 outbound TEUs, up 9.3 percent.

The volumes reinforce a recent trend of ocean carriers shipping a steadier flow of cargo, said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero in a press release.