Cargo Statistics: Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland

 

The Port of Los Angeles processed 725,059 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in February, the busiest February in the port’s 111-year history. Volumes jumped 16 percent compared to last February. Two months into 2018, overall volumes have increased 5.6 percent compared to 2017, which was the Port’s best year ever.

 

The surge in February volumes is due in part to the Lunar New Year, which fell later this year.  Shippers moved cargo ahead of the holiday celebrated in Asia and thus March volumes are expected to be lighter this year with the advance shipments coming in February.

 

February 2018 imports increased 28.1 percent to 383,089 TEUs compared to the previous year. Exports increased 1.4 percent to 157,591 TEUs while empty containers increased 7.8 percent to 184,378 TEUs. Combined, February overall volumes were 725,059 TEUs, a 16 percent increase compared to last year.

 

Current and historical data is available here.

 

 

Port of Oakland containerized import volume increased 14.9 percent last month, according to data released. The port said February container volume grew in all categories, setting records along the way.  Oakland’s performance follows release of a new five-year strategic plan calling for record cargo volume annually through 2022.

 

"A lot can happen in an uncertain trade environment, but we’re off to an encouraging start to 2018," said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle. "There’ll be challenges along the way but we still see steady cargo growth into the future."   

 

The port adopted a strategic plan this month projecting eight percent cargo growth in the next five years. Here’s how February’s totals fit the forecast:

• Oakland handled the equivalent of 73,666 20-foot import containers, the highest February total in its 91-year history.

• Export volume increased 1.8 percent, the third consecutive month of export growth in Oakland.

• Total volume – including imports, exports and empty boxes - grew 7.6 percent to 188,175 containers, another February record.

 

The port said continuing strength in U.S. consumer spending helped drive its import business.  It advised that March volume could dip due to post-Lunar New Year factory holidays in Asia, Oakland’s primary market.  

 

 

After exporting more than 87,000 Ford vehicles in 2017, the Port of Portland continues to be the leader on the U.S. West Coast for auto exports. The port also posted strong auto totals for the year, with the combined number of imports and exports adding up to 314,000 vehicles. The 2017 total auto figures, compiled in the Port’s annual year-end report, represent a 7.8 percent increase from 2016.

 

In 2016, the port handled more than 50,000 exports, with the 2017 growth representing a 73 percent increase. Last year, the port and tenant Auto Warehousing Company added space for auto staging in the Rivergate Industrial District near Terminal 6. The 18.9-acre storage and staging yard helped support the growth of export vehicles.

 

Cars manufactured in the U.S. are shipped by rail from assembly plants to the port’s docks, where vehicles are driven on "ro-ro" ships (roll-on/roll-off) bound for China and other parts of the Far East. The port also handles import models such as Hyundais, Toyotas, and Hondas that make their first stop in Portland before they are distributed to dealerships across the West.

 

The port’s auto story dates back to 1953 with the import of Volkswagens through Terminal 1. Since then, well over 11 million vehicles have come through port facilities.