The Port of Los Angeles, situated on the West Coast, anticipates a continued surge in cargo volumes throughout April, despite the typically subdued shipping season. Reporting from Los Angeles, cargo volumes at the port soared by 19% compared to the previous year, totaling 743,417 TEUs in March, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth.

Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, expressed optimism during a media briefing on Wednesday, stating, "Moving into April and the second quarter, I expect robust cargo flow to continue here." He attributed this expectation to a resilient job market, sustained consumer spending, and the port's capacity to accommodate increased volume.

Although loaded imports experienced a 19% year-over-year increase, this growth rate decelerated from the remarkable 64% surge witnessed in February. On the exports front, March marked the West Coast port's most promising month since January 2020, with loaded exports totaling 144,718 TEUs, reflecting a substantial 47% year-over-year rise, according to Seroka.

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Cargo volumes quantified through statistics

"Presently, we bring in 2.6 import boxes for each export," stated Seroka, emphasizing a notable improvement from 2021's trade imbalance of 6.2 imports per export. Seroka underscored the port's objective to enhance American exports, aiming for a 2-1 ratio. 

Seroka anticipates April, historically deemed a "slack season," to be bustling, with total TEUs projected to surpass 700,000.

The National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates project U.S. import volumes to ascend, reaching 2 million total TEUs in May across the nation's leading 12 ports. This growth persists despite shippers grappling with uncertainties arising from various global trade disruptions.