POLA and POLB see solid December and 2022 volumes despite annual declines

December volumes, for the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) were down to finish 2022, according to data respectively issued by the ports this week.

POLA reported that total December volumes—at 728,871 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—were down 7.34% annually. Imports—at 352,046 TEU—fell 8.62%, and exports—at 96,518 TEU—rose 36.19%. Empty containers came in at 280,307 TEU—a 15.18% decrease.

For calendar year 2020, POLA volume was off 7.18% annually, to 9,911,158 TEU. Even with the annual decline, POLA said that this tally represents its second-highest annual volumes in the port’s 115 years of operation.

“The historic import surge and the various economic trials that we've all experienced have stretched our capacity and stamina,” said POLA Executive Director Gene Seroka at the POLA “State of the Port 2023” event this week. “Think about it. Through last July, we saw over two years of unprecedented volume -averaging a peak season month, every month. We started 2022 at that same frenetic pace with 109 vessels in our queue. Yet, we ended with a disappointing 20% decline that began last August. That was triggered by an early peak season, the shifting of cargo to the East and Gulf coasts, and now more recently, a nationwide slowing of imports. Still… even with ALL that, nearly 10 million container units crossed our docks, making 2022 our Silver Medal year—the second best in our 115-year history. 2022 also marked our 23rd consecutive year as the nation's number one container port.”

Port of Long Beach data: POLB December volume was off 27.9% annually, to 544,104 TEU.

Imports saw a 36.2% annual decline, to 241,643 TEU, and exports rose 1.6%, to 115,782 TEU. Empty containers fell 33.7%, to 186,680 TEU.

For calendar year 2022, total POLB volume—at 9,133,657 TEU—was off 2.7% compared to 2021, its highest-volume year in the port’s 112 years of operations, with 2022 representing its second-busiest year on record.

POLB 2022 imports fell 4.9% annually, to 4,358,789 TEU, with exports off 1.6%, to 1,414,882 TEU. Even with the decline in exports, POLB held its place as the leading U.S. export year for the second consecutive year. Empty containers were off slightly, down 0.14%, to 3,359,986 TEU. 

Port officials noted that a rise in online purchases and aggressive efforts to transfer long-dwelling cargo off the docks bolstered trade moving through the Port during the first half of 2022, with monthly cargo records in January, February, March, April, June and July. And they added that consumer spending cooled by summer due to rising prices driven by inflation, while vessel transfers between the San Pedro Bay ports and a shift in imported goods toward the Gulf and East coasts contributed to a softening of cargo volume during the second half of 2022, with the easing returning the Port to normal operations by year’s end. Economists are forecasting a further decline in cargo volumes through 2023 as consumers shift their purchases to services over goods, they added.

“Cargo is moving smoothly as we move past the economic effects of COVID-19,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, in a statement. “In 2023, we will continue to invest in digital and physical infrastructure projects, focus on market share and develop long-term improvements that will strengthen our competitiveness and keep goods moving efficiently.”