Port of Los Angeles reports busiest July in history

Volumes at the Southern California port increased 16 percent for the month compared with July and 9.5 percent year-over-year in the first seven months of 2017.    Volumes at the Port of Los Angeles rose 16 percent to 796,804 TEUs in July 2017 compared to the same month a year prior, marking the busiest July in port history, according to recent data from the Southern California port.
   Year-to-date, the port has handled 5.3 million TEUs, 9.5 percent more than in the same seven-month period last year, and is on pace to surpass the record 8.8 million TEUs handled for the entire 2016 calendar year.
   Loaded imports increased 13 percent to 417,090 TEUs last month, while loaded exports rose 17 percent to 154,925 TEUs and empty containers shot up 20 percent compared with July 2016.
  “As we strive to maintain our competitive edge with these record volumes, it’s important to acknowledge the Pacific Maritime Association and the good men and women of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union who just extended their contract with terminal operators until 2022,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.
   The contract was voted for extension last week and will raise wages, maintain health benefits and increased pensions. An estimated 66 percent of members voted to extend the contract. “The certainty that comes from this decision builds further long-term confidence in our supply chain as we continue to focus on superior infrastructure, innovative leadership and extraordinary customer service,” said Seroka.