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SoCal Ports Move Record Cargo Volume in 2020
Southern California’s ports reported they both moved a record number of cargo containers in 2020, despite sudden shutdowns in March as the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns arrived. The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) moved 9.2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2020, while the neighboring Port of Long Beach (POLB) moved more than 8.1 million cargo container units in 2020.
The Port of Los Angeles’ Gene Seroka says, ““Our container business in 2020 was the most erratic we have ever seen, with volumes plunging nearly 19% in the first five months of the year, followed by an unprecedented second-half surge.”
A late-year surge of pandemic-induced consumer spending helped boost POLA volumes to near 2019 levels, making 2020 the fourth highest-volume year in the Port’s history. It remains nation’s busiest seaport by container volume and cargo value.
POLA’s Q3 and Q4 2020 cargo volumes increased 50% over the first half of the year, with the Port handling a remarkable 94% more traffic the week before Christmas than the same week in 2019. POLA completed the year down roughly 1.5% compared to 2019 cargo volumes.
Meanwhile, across the San Pedro Bay ports complex, POLB reported 2020 was its busiest year on record, with 8.1 million TEUs moved, an increase of 6.3% from 2019. Imports rose 6.4% to 3.99 million TEUs. Exports totaled 1.47 million TEUs, up 0.2%, while empty containers increased 9.9% to 2.63 million TEUs. Long Beach exceeded the previous annual record set in 2018 by 22,292 TEUs.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Kaiser
- ◦Economy
