The Port of Los Angeles handled 855,652 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in January, the second-best start to the year on record after the pandemic-induced cargo surge in 2022. Port officials said January was the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year increases and surpassed January 2023 by 18%.
“Two factors are driving our strong start,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said at a media briefing. “First, cargo owners have been replenishing inventories and moving goods at a fast clip ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, which will slow production in Asia.
“Second, consumer spending and mostly strong economic data continue to accelerate the American economy.” Seroka said last season’s holiday sales grew nearly 4%, with strong job growth and other key indicators trending in a positive direction.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis added, “With updates in infrastructure, digitalization and zero-emission projects at the Port of Los Angeles, California’s supply chains are moving goods efficiently, accelerating the decarbonization of the state freight sector, all while creating high-quality jobs.”
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