June POLA and POLB volumes see annual declines against strong annual comparisons

June volumes at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) were mixed, to varying degrees, according to data issued by each port this week.

Total POLA volume, at 833,045 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), was down 4.97% annually, but, despite the decline, this marked the highest-volume month going back to July 2022, which was an all-time record month for POLA.

POLA imports fell 2% annually, to 435,307 TEU, and exports, at 108,050 TEU, saw a 15% annual gain. Empty containers fell 14% annually, to 289,679 TEU, 13% ahead of its five-year average.

On a year-to-date basis, through June, total POLA volume is down 24% annually, to 4,137,379 TEU.

POLB Executive Director Gene Seroka said on a media call yesterday that June volumes were nearly 6%abovethe port’sfive-yearrunningaverageforthemonth.

“JunewasourstrongestperformancesincelastJulyandsinceFebruaryourcargovolumehasincreasedover70%withfourmonthsofconsecutivegains,” he said. “WepostedsolidnumbersacrosstheboardinJune.”

Seroka added that atthemidwaypointof2023, total POLA volume, at 4.1 million TEU is off 24% compared to its near-record start in 2023, and 12% below its five-year average, for the same period.

“Lookingahead,wegotatentativelabordealinplace[between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union],andtheeconomycontinuestoberesilient,” he said. “Therewasreallygoodnews[yesterday], withinflationcoolingforthe12thconsecutivemonth.Consumerpricesincreasedonly3%froma一年earlier…downfrom4%inMay.AndAmazonis报告thatitsPrimeareexpectedtobeitsbestever.That'sanothergreatindicatorthattheconsumersarestillwillingto消费。

It's difficult though to forecast the remainder of the 一年. We do see some softness in July , with nine canceled sailing s, so cargo will be down compared to June, yet I'm optimistic that these next six months will outpace the first 一半 of the 一年. ”

POLB data: The Port of Long Beach reported that total volume came in at 597,076, down 28.5% compared to June 2022, its highest-volume June on record.

Imports fell 34%, to 274,325 TEU, and exports were down 18%, to 94,508 TEU, with empty containers falling 25%, to 228,243 TEU.

Through the first six months of 2023, POLB volume is down 25.5%, to 3,732,676 TEU compared to the same period a year ago.

“我们希望获得更大的百分比market share,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero in a statement. “We remain confident that our reliability, efficiency and unparalleled service will attract additional trade and economic activity to our Port.”