Coronavirus impact sees volumes plummet 23% at Port of Los Angeles

Container volumes declined by a huge 22.9% to 544,037 teu at the Port of Los Angeles in February as the slow-down of supply chains, owing to the coronavirus outbreak, becomes apparent.

A reduction in services from the Far East played a key role, as imports dropped by 22.5% and empties declined by 35%. In comparison, exports only slipped by 5.7%.

Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka said: “While cargo volumes are important, the coronavirus is first and foremost a public health crisis that needs to be brought under control with the collaboration of governments and medical experts from around the world.