Los Angeles reports flat volumes in 2007

LA’s containerised export cargo continued to grow in 2007, with a 13% increase of loaded outbound containers (184,023 teu) and an 11.4% decrease in empty containers, or 300,821 fewer containers. The Port’s export trade includes cotton, waste paper, scrap metal, animal feed, resins, and aircraft and automotive parts.

Since 2000, containerised exports at the Port of Los Angeles have risen by 63% overall. Annual container volumes have varied since then, but the overall average growth has been 10.6%, and forecast growth figures for the San Pedro Bay Ports is based on a 6% average gain year-on-year.

“On the heels of a 13% volume gain in 2006, our volumes started off strong last January and February, but declined from there, and we are not anticipating overall gains in 2008 due to the weak economy and the shipping industry’s focus on increasing Asia-Europe capacity. With soft consumer spending and the weak US dollar, our 2007 results were on par for the most part with west coast and national volumes,” said Port of Los Angeles executive director Geraldine Knatz.