Container handling through the port of Los Angeles hit a new record in November after climbing 5.3% on a year earlier to reach 924,225 TEUs. As in previous months that was principally the result of import growth, which reached 6.1% and outpaced the 0.3% rise seen in exports. That was a pattern that has also been seen on the east coast in Virginia, as outlined in Panjiva research of December 11.

From a growth perspective it was outpaced by Long Beach’s 14.7% growth rate, though that arguably still includes comparison to a period skewed by the failure of Hanjin Shipping. Exports lagged imports there too, rising just 4.5% vs. 18.0% for imports.

Calculations based on official port data from Los Angeles and Long Beach. Source: Panjiva

Panjiva data shows the underlying growth in imports (10.6% for the two ports combined) has been driven by increased volumes coming from China and Hong Kong which rose 12.4% for the month. On a three month trailing basis that’s equivalent to an 8.9% rate of expansion vs. 5.4% for all other routes. That’s partly the result of faster growth in exports from China generally – shown by its ports’ data – but also suggests the Panama Canal is not causing a significant problem.

Chart segments container handling through ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach by market of origin. Source: Panjiva

When added to the data from Oakland it appears that consumer and industrial demand remains robust in California with imports having risen 9.5% for the month. Exports, however, fell for a fourth straight month (0.7%), perhaps reflecting the ongoing wildfire challenges that are currently having an effect in the south of the state.

Calculations based on Port of Oakland, Los Angeles and Long Beach data. Source: Panjiva