THE Port of Los Angeles' August volumes increased 6.7 per cent year on year, rising to 757,702 TEU while Long Beach's throughpout fell 9.1 per cent to 573,083 TEU.
Long Beach said that the slip came on top of high figures last year. “Last year’s August was very busy and started off the typical August through October peak season,?said the port, adding that its peak season may have occurred earlier for the port this year.
In August 2013, Long Beach throughput scored its highest monthly volume since October 2007, rising 13.4 per cent year on year to 630,292 TEU.
Meanwhile the adjacent Port of Los Angeles only posted a 0.4 per cent increase in August last year to 709,676 TEU, and what gains were made came from an eight per cent increase in empties.
Last year, LA suffered from the world's second biggest box carrier, the Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), decision to move its business from Los Angeles to Long Beach, which resulted in poor year-on-year comparisons since.
This year, Long Beach volumes dropped with imports down 8.2 per cent to 300,851 TEU while exports fell 17.7 per cent to 126,856 TEU with empties off two per cent to 145,376 TEU.
But year to date, LB volumes were up one per cent at 4,459,274 TEU with imports rising 1.6 per cent to 2,297,188 TEU, and exports down 2.2 per cent to 1,104,080 TEU.
Long Beach port officials also blamed lower August volumes on the retailer rush to get cargo through earlier in the year in case the continuing labour contract talks with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union broke down and a strike or lockout ensued.
But this would have applied to Los Angeles August volumes too, which were up - its best August since 2010. LA imports were up 7.8 per cent to 383,551 TEU. Exports rose 6.16 per cent to 163,248 TEU. Empties were up 5.3 per cent to 205,903 TEU.
Year to date LA volumes are up 7.61 per cent year on year to 5,527,337 TEU.
PORTS
17 September 2014 - 18:59
LA August up 6.7pc to 757,702 TEU while LB down 9.1pc to 573,083 TEU
THE Port of Los Angeles' August volumes increased 6.7 per cent year on year, rising to 757,702 TEU while Long Beach's throughpout fell 9.1 per cent to 573,083 TEU.
PORTS
17 September 2014 - 18:59
LA August up 6.7pc to 757,702 TEU while LB down 9.1pc to 573,083 TEU
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