Los Angeles-Long Beach box volume down 4% in May

Los Angeles-Long Beach box volume down 4% in May Container volume at the United States’ biggest port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach decreased 3.9 percent in May to a combined 1.29 million TEUs, compared to 1.34 million TEUs in May 2006.
   The Port of Los Angeles handled 681,545 TEUs in the month, down 2.1 percent compared to 695,953 TEUs last year. Los Angeles’ monthly loaded inbound traffic was flat at 361,683 TEUs, while loaded outbound volume went up 13 percent to 134,349 TEUs. Total empty containers handled at Los Angeles declined 13.5 percent to 185,512 TEUs.
   The Port of Long Beach handled 606,256 TEUs in May, down 5.9 percent from the 644,066 TEUs a year ago. Loaded imports slumped 3.5 percent to 316,666 TEUs with outbound loaded containers up 10.3 percent to 127,061 TEUs. Empties were down 19 percent to 162,529 TEUs.
   After five months of 2007, the Port of Los Angeles’ throughput is up 6.1 percent to 3.33 million TEUs while the Port of Long Beach’s volume has decreased 2.1 percent to 2.86 million TEUs. The two ports’ combined volume for the year so far is up 8.3 percent to 6.19 million TEUs.