POLA, POLB post mixed August volumes

August volumes at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and Port of Long Beach (POLB) were mostly impressive, according to data recently issued by the ports.

POLA and POLB are the two largest North American ports, and they collectively account for more than 40 percent of U.S. imports. As previously reported, West coast port volumes, especially in first half of 2015, had been uneven, as ports had to work through the backlog caused by the nine-month West Coast port labor dispute between the PMA and ILWU, which reached a resolution in the form of a new contract agreement that was reached in the spring of 2015.

Total August POLA volume at 798,932 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) were up 1.6 percent annually. But while the annual increase was mild percentage-wise, this represented the second highest volume month in the port’s history, with October 2006 topping it as 800,063 TEU.

Loaded POLA imports in August rose 0.9 percent to 411,366 TEU, and loaded exports headed up 6.3 percent to 153,005 TEU. Empty containers were off 0.16 percent at 234,560 TEU.

On a year-to-date basis through August, total POLA volume is up 4.3 percent to 5,620,400 TEU.

“Strong numbers on both our import and export cargo during the industry’s peak season indicates confidence in our ability to meet supply chain expectations,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka in a statement.  “While our industry is currently facing many challenges, the Port of LosAngeles remains committed to handling the nation’s cargo with speed, efficiency and first-class service.”

POLA Media Relations Manager Phillip Sanfield added that POLA was very pleased with August’s volumes, given that it was up against strong numbers from August 2015.

“Part of the reason is due to a surge in exports (both in L.A. and Long Beach and I would assume at other U.S. ports) partially due to the stabilization in the value of the U.S. dollar,” he said. “At the Port of L.A., about 4 percent of cargo coming here in 2016 was coming via Hanjin. Although they don’t have a stake in a terminal in L.A. (they do in Long Beach), we receive Hanjin cargo via shared vessel services and alliances. We’re working with our terminals and stakeholders to make additional room at the Port to store empty Hanjin containers to alleviate the pressure facing the industry.”

Total POLB volume in August dropped 8.9 percent annually to 641,029 TEU, up against August 2015, which is the highest volume month in the port’s history. Imports came in at 321,625 TEU for a 10.2 percent annual decrease, and exports were up 14.8 percent at 159,247 TEU, with empties down 22.5 percent at 160,157 TEU.

Through August, POLB volumes are down 2.9 percent at 4,563, 321 TEU.

POLB said that at the moment shipping lines are continuing to consolidate service routes to optimize vessel utilization during the holiday peak season and in anticipation of the new, planned ocean carrier alliances. Other factors impacting Port container volumes, it cited, are domestic retail inventories that remain high even as strong consumer spending continues to power the nation’s economy. And it also noted that August throughput was not affected by Hanjin’s filing for court receivership on August 31.