CONTAINER volumes in June for the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) set new records, according to data issued by the ports.

Total June POLA volume - at 876,111 TEU - edged out June 2021 by 0.02 per cent, for the highest-volume June in the port's 115 years of operations.

POLA June imports - at 444,680 TEU - were off five per cent annually, while up 12 per cent compared to the previous five-year June average.

Exports - at 93,890 TEU - fell 2.3 per cent annually and have fallen in 39 of the last 44 months. Empty containers - at 338,041 TEU - saw an 8.14 per cent annual increase.

On a year-to-date basis through June, total POLA volume - at 5,413,902 TEU - is essentially flat, down 0.26 per cent, keeping pace with 2021, which set an all-time annual volume record.

POLA executive director Gene Seroka said that June was "another stellar month" for the port.

"Retailers continued to replenish store and warehouse inventories, and despite inflation Americans are still spending on goods," he said. "Though the latest Commerce Department data indicated an easing in consumer purchases in the month of May, we will continue to monitor this and other key data, such as the results of Amazon Prime Day, GDP numbers, and June retail sales to see if this is a true trend."

Total Port of Long Beach volume - at 835,412 TEU - saw a 15.3 per cent annual increase, topping June 2018' by 83,224 TEU, as the new POLB June high.

Port officials said that the second quarter was the port's most active one on record, driven by increased consumer demand, with retailers stocking shelves in advance of back-to-school shopping.

Imports - at 415,677 TEU - increased 16.4 per cent, and exports - at 115,303 TEU - fell 1.4 per cent, Empty containers - at 304,433 TEU - saw a 21.6 per cent annual gain.

Through the first six months of 2022, total POLB volume - at 5,007,778 TEU - is up 5.3 per cent annually. And second quarter volume - at 2,547,119 TEU, topping the first quarter of 2022, the previous best quarter, by 86,460 TEU.

"We are anticipating a robust summer season as consumer demand continues to drive cargo to our docks," said Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero in a statement. "We expect to remain moderately busy in the coming months, and we will work to promptly process containers lingering at the Port."

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