The Port of Los Angeles is preparing for cargo volumes to increase 5% YoY over the next six to eight months as ongoing Red Sea disruptions and Panama Canal draft restrictions push more shipments toward the US West Coast.
The increase is not guaranteed but the port is preparing for the possibility, said Executive Director Gene Seroka. He added that the port is discussing the situation with the Harbor Trucking Association, marine terminal operators, shipping lines and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
LA Port has already seen higher volumes as importers frontloaded cargo, contributing to an early peak season. The port processed 960,464 TEUs in July, making it the second-busiest July in its history. Volumes were down 6% from a year earlier but were 7.5% above the port’s five-year average for the month. Seroka expects another strong month in August, although some cargo that normally arrives later in the season has already moved.
