SIMIC

THE Port of Los Angeles has processed 688,110 TEU in April, down 22 per cent compared to April 2022, which was one of the busiest on record.

April 2023 loaded imports reached 343,689 TEU, down 25 per cent compared to the previous year.



Loaded exports came in at 88,202 TEU, a decline of 12 per cent compared to last year, reports London's Port Technology.



Empty containers landed at 256,220 TEU, a 23 per cent year-over-year decline.



In March 2023, the Port of Los Angeles increased by 28 per cent over February 2023, and April 2023 cargo was 10 per cent higher than March 2023.



During the first four months of 2023, the Port handled 2.53 million TEU, a 29 per cent decline compared to the same period in 2022. Last year was the best four-month start in the Port's history.



"A cooling global economy, warehouses laden with aging inventory and prolonged West Coast labour negotiations have all contributed to a slowdown in trade," said Port of Los Angeles executive director, Gene Seroka.



"If economic conditions improve and we get a labour deal in place, that will help improve volume in the second half of the year," Mr Seroka added.



Alan McCorkle, president and CEO of Yusen Terminals, a marine container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles, noted that Yusen Terminals is set to receive the first five commercially available zero-emissions top handlers later this year.



The battery-electric top handlers have been in demonstration mode at the port complex. This aligns with the port's growing efforts to decarbonize port operations.



Late last year, the Port of Los Angeles awarded US$6 million to two trucking companies to accelerate the transition to zero-emission drayage trucks.



More recently, officials from the Port of Los Angeles broke ground on the $10.3 million Front Street Beautification Project on the LA Waterfront in a ceremonial launch.