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The nation’s port leaders say that while container volume was down in the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico facilities, overall trends for 2024 are pointing up.

With billions of federal, state and local dollars being spent at the nation’s ports, these critical economic engines are poised to accelerate efforts toward low- and zero-carbon emissions.

Container volumes trended mostly into negative territory in August at facilities along the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, with a modest gain at the Port of Los Angeles.

It came as a surprise at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach  when the ports of New York-New Jersey said their complex was the busiest cargo container handler in America.

At least one terminal at the Port of Los Angeles canceled some cargo operations June 5 as disruptions that hit several key U.S. West Coast ports last week appear to continue.

The pandemic’s cargo crush pushed the Los Angeles and Long Beach complex close to the breaking point, allowing ports from New York-New Jersey to Houston to grow their market share.

Weeks after the California Air Resources Board approved a rule to limit rail pollution, the Pacific Harbor Line on May 4 unveiled one of the nation’s most advanced zero-emission locomotives.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said April 12 that there are no contingency plans if labor negotiations turn into a work stoppage or strike.

Port leaders from around the nation will be in Washington on March 27-30 for the annual Legislative Summit hosted by American Association of Port Authorities.

A combination of the Lunar New Year, and concerns over labor talks and a slowing global economy resulted in a 43% drop in container cargo at the Port of Los Angeles in February.