WASHINGTON: Port of Los Angeles said containerized cargo volumes slipped 2.5 percent in July from a year ago, even though cargo traffic rose at neighboring Port of Long Beach.
The Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s largest container port, handled a total of 699,127 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, compared with 717,407 a year ago.
Imports through Port of Los Angeles decreased 3.5 percent in July, while exports plunged 16.4 percent.
Imports decreased 3.5 percent to 350,627 TEUs, while exports plunged 16.4 percent to 136,402 TEUs. Combined, total loaded imports and exports dropped 7.5 percent to 487,029 TEUs.
Factoring in empties, which increased 11.2 percent, overall July volumes decreased 2.5 percent.
For the first seven months of the year, overall volumes reached 4.6 million TEUs, down 3.5 percent compared with the same period in 2014.
Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach reported its best July, with cargo container volumes jumping 18.4 percent in July to 690,244 TEUs. Imports rose 16.2 percent from a year earlier, while exports grew 15.9 percent.