The Port of Los Angeles processed 688,110 twenty-foot equivalent units in April, down 22% compared to the same month last year, which was the second busiest April on record, port officials announced Thursday.
Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of L.A., announced the latest data at a media briefing alongside Alan McCorkle, president and CEO of Yusen Terminals, a marine container terminal located at the port. McCorkle noted that Yusen is slated to receive the first five commercially available zero-emissions top handlers later this year.
Port officials said battery-electric top handlers are “essential to container terminal operations” and the equipment has been in “demonstration mode” at the port complex.
“A cooling global economy, warehouses laden with aging inventory and prolonged West Coast labor negotiations have all contributed to a slowdown in trade,” Seroka said in a statement.
“If economic conditions improve and we get a labor deal in place, that will help improve the second half of the year. We are prepared for the next cargo surge, whenever it comes.”
Imports in April reached 343,689 TEUs, down 25% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports came in at 88,202 TEUs, a decline of 12% from 2022, and empty containers landed at 256,220 TEUs, a 23% year-over-year decline.
Cargo movement increased by 23% from February to March, and cargo movement increased by 10% from March to April, port officials announced.
During the first four months of 2023, the port handled 2,525,204 TEUs, a 29% decline compared to the same period in 2022. Last year was the best four month start in the port’s history, port officials said in a statement.