Cargo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles topped out at 833,035 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during June 2023, the port’s best performance since July 2022. The volumes for June 2023 were just 5% lower than the port's all-time monthly cargo handling record, which was set in June 2022.

According to Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka, the cargo volumes for June 2023 were almost 6% higher than the five-year running average for the month. Seroka also said that cargo volumes at the Port of LA have risen by 70% since February 2023, with the port recording four consecutive months of gains.

Loaded imports for June reached 435,307 TEUs, a 2% decrease compared to the same period in 2022. Simultaneously, the Port of Los Angeles’ loaded exports came in at 108,050 TEUs, a 15% year-on-year increase. Empty containers at the port reached 289,679 TEUs, a 14% decline from June 2022.

Through the first six months of 2023, the Port of Los Angeles has handled 4,137,379 TEUs, a 24% drop-off when compared to the first half of 2022.

“Looking ahead, we got a tentative labor deal in place, and the economy continues to be resilient,” Seroka said during a July 12 news briefing. “There was really good news this morning with inflation cooling for the twelfth consecutive month. It’s difficult, though, to forecast the remainder of the year. We do see some softness in July with nine canceled sailings, so cargo will be down compared to June." Seroka said he was optimistic that volumes in the next six months will outpace the first half of the year.