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U.S.-China Trade War Exacts Toll on SoCal Ports
Imports plummeted at SoCal’s ports in October as the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China wages. Combined, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, imported 729,831 TEUs in October, a number that was down 14% from the 771,583 TEUs imported in September 2018.
The Port of Los Angeles overall moved 770,189 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in October, a 19.1% decrease compared to 2018’s record-breaking October. The L.A. port reported after 10 months of 2019, total volumes have increased 1.8% compared to last year, which was the busiest year ever at America’s top port.
Port of Los Angeles’ Gene Seroka says, “With 25% fewer ship calls, 12 consecutive months of declining exports and now decreasing imports, we’re beginning to feel the far-reaching effects of the U.S.-China trade war on American exporters and manufacturers. We expect soft volumes in the months ahead and with the holiday season upon us, less cargo means fewer jobs for American workers. We need a negotiated settlement and the tariffs lifted.”
This past October, imports into L.A. decreased 19.1% to 392,768 TEUs, compared to the previous year when cargo owners imported cargo at a record pace to get ahead of expected tariffs. Exports declined 19.3% to 140,332 TEUs, the 12th consecutive monthly decline of exports.
The impact of the trade war will be a topic at both Connect Inland Empire, coming up Tuesday, November 12th in Ontario, CA, as well as Connect Industrial, on November 19th in Houston.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Kaiser
- ◦Economy
