Port of L.A. posts record box volumes in 2016

The Southern California port handled more than 8.8 million TEUs for the year, an 8.5 percent increase from 2015 and the most ever for a port in the western hemisphere, according to a statement from the port.    The Port of Los Angeles posted record cargo volumes in 2016, according to a statement from the port.
   The Southern California port handled more than 8.85 million TEUs for the year, an 8.5 percent increase from 2015 and the most ever for a port in the western hemisphere, according to a statement from the port. The previous record of 8.47 million TEUs was set in 2006.
   The port saw volumes surge 27 percent year-over-year in December, making it the busiest December and fourth quarter in port history.
   Loaded December imports increased 22.6 percent to 394,217 TEUs compared with the same 2015 period, while exports jumped 25.6 percent to 164,900 TEUs. The port noted empty container moves were also up 23.5 percent from the previous December.
   “The Port of L.A. is America’s Port – and we’re breaking records because we understand the importance of innovating and collaborating to move our economy forward,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said of the results. “We have seen incredible progress over the last two years, and it speaks to the hard work and partnership between the city, business leaders, and the workers who keep our port running smoothly every day.”