THE Port of Los Angeles' container volume rose 30 per cent year on year just as it increased 16 per cent in the adjacent Port of Long Beach in the first quarter.

The Port of Los Angeles recorded a container throughput of 743,417 TEU in March, a 19 per cent increase over the previous year.

It was the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth at the nation's busiest port.

For the first quarter LA dockers lifted moved 2,380,503 TEU across Los Angeles marine terminals, nearly 30 per cent more than 2023.

March loaded imports landed at 379,542 TEU, up 19 per cent compared to the previous year. Loaded exports came in at 144,718 TEU, an increase of 47 per cent compared to last year. It was the port's best export month since January 2020 and marked 10 consecutive months of year-over-year export gains.

Long Beach dockers lifted 654,082 TEU last month, an 8.3 per cent increase from March 2023. Imports grew 8.4 per cent to 302,521 TEU and exports were down 21.3 per cent to 105,099 TEU. Empty containers moving through the port jumped 28.9 per cent to 246,464 TEU.

"Consumer demand remains strong and continues to drive cargo through this vital gateway for trans-Pacific trade," said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero.

Said LA port director Gene Seroka: "Moving into April and the second quarter, I expect robust cargo flow to continue here. A strong job market and continued consumer spending, along with our ability to handle additional volume, will help drive cargo to Los Angeles in the coming months."

Earlier this year, the Port of Los Angeles announced that the newly built Wilmington Waterfront Promenade will have its grand opening on 3 February 2024.

More recently, the Port of Los Angeles and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced that they will begin construction on a US$130 million transportation project.