The largest US ports report volume declines for May

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Port Houston welcomed M/V Bremerhaven to its Bayport Container Terminal on its maiden voyage. (Port Houston via X).

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The U.S. ports had mixed results in May. Some facilities saw volume increases, while others, including some of the largest in the country, saw container traffic decline.

The Port of Los Angeles reported that it processed 752,893 equivalent 20-foot units for the month. This is a 3% decrease from the 779.140 units moved in May 2023. The facility had grown for nine consecutive months, but container volumes in the first five month are still up 18%.

During a press briefing, Port of Los Angeles Executive director Gene Seroka stated that “we continue our trend of a strong, consistent volume” that began at the beginning of the calendar year. “As we prepare for the second half, our forecast indicates a more robust activity at our docks during the summer.”

The neighboring Port of Long Beach announced that container volumes in May decreased 8.2% from 758.225 to 695.937 containers, mainly due to a shift in trade routes and cancellations of voyages. The port had grown year-over-year for eight consecutive months. Despite the drop in May, container volumes at Long Beach for the first five months were up 10% from the previous year’s levels of 3,449181.

Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach’s CEO, said: “I am confident that we will see more cargo as we work together with industry partners to regain our market share in an increasingly competitive environment.” “I anticipate a moderate rise in cargo as we enter the summer months and we regain business.”

Port of Oakland reported a 5.3% increase in container volume year-over-year, from 178.513, to 188.040. This is the seventh consecutive month of increasing import volumes. The overall trend of continued growth in import cargo volumes was offset by slight declines on export volumes.

Also, port leaders recently traveled to Taiwan to talk with executives of ocean carriers about infrastructure investments, reducing emission and new inland railway connections.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance reported that the combined volume between the ports of Seattle, Washington and Tacoma, Wash. increased by 20.6%, from 229,974 to 277 388 TEUs. The alliance stated that increased vessel calls, voyage consistency and low import rail dwells are driving strong container volumes at the gateway. Container volumes in the first five months were up 8.2% to 1,235,446.

Port Houston reported an increase of 21% in volume from 307 879 containers to 364,866 containers. The gains were attributed to a robust construction industry, strong manufacturing in Texas, and regional consumer spending for items such as furniture, hardware, and retail goods. Container volumes in the first five months of this year increased by 14%, to 1,758,960. In May, port officials welcomed the MV/OOCL Bremerhaven for its maiden voyage.

Roger Guenther is the executive director of Port Houston. He said, “We welcome MV/OOCL Bremerhaven with a Texas-sized greeting and look forward to providing exceptional customer service to this new vessel.” “At Port Houston container terminals, vessels work 24 hours a days and are quickly turned in partnership with our ILA and stevedores. We know how important it is to get ships in and out of the terminals and on their way as quickly as possible.

Georgia Ports Authority reported that container volumes increased by 22% from 408,686 to 490 330. Port leadership stated that a growing retail market, combined with new business from customers, is driving significant growth. It said that the facility also benefits from source shifting as more manufacturers set up production facilities in Southeast Asian countries.

GPA President Griff Lynn said, “Major retailers have told Georgia Ports that they have increased orders to replenish inventories and meet rising consumer demand.” “We’ve also seen an increase in trade between Tier 1 suppliers of the new Hyundai Meta plant, which added to our container volumes for May.”

Port of Baltimore and Port of Virginia had no data at the time of publication. Both ports have seen disruptions to their normal operations following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsing in Baltimore, on March 26. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced that the port would reopen in its entirety on June 12.

Moore said, “We finish what we start.” “We can look over the Patapsco River and see the Dali gone and the wreckage cleared. I will not be content until I can see the Key Bridge again when I look out at the Patapsco River. That is the drive. This is the push. “We will make this promise a reality by working together.”

The South Carolina Ports Authority didn’t have its May numbers.

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey releases its numbers one month later than other ports. In April, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey saw a 9.4% year-over-year increase in volume, from 648,462 to 709 469 containers.

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