SIMIC

Total February LA volume - at 857,764 TEU - represented a 7.3 per cent annual increase, for the highest-volume February in the port's 115-year history, topping the previous record set in February 2020.

LA's February imports - at 424,073 TEU - increased 2.4 per cent annually, and loaded exports - at 95,441 TEU - fell 5.7 per cent, with exports declining in 36 of the last 40 months, at LA. Empty containers saw an 18.6 per cent increase, to 338,251 TEU, with LA attributing the increase to ongoing levels of Asia-based heavy demand.

Said LA port executive director Gene Seroka: "Fluidity and velocity on our docks continues to improve. Like January, February was another record-breaking month. Growth continues to be driven by imports and empties repositioning.

"Even with the rising prices we are all experiencing, we expect to see elevated levels of imports this spring, as e-commerce retailers replenish low inventory, including February's retails numbers gains, which underscores the strength of this market," Mr Seroka said.

Long Beach port officials said that although trade typically slows in February as east Asian factories close for Chinese New Year, the port was busier than usual due to continued work to clear shipping terminals and reduce the number of vessels waiting to enter the port.

"We are moving record amounts of cargo and catching up with the ongoing surge of imports," said Long Beach port executive director Mario Cordero. "Meanwhile, we are proceeding with measures we will need in the long term, such as development of our Supply Chain Information Highway data solution, which provides greater cargo visibility, connectivity and predictability."