LA-LB Terminals Reduce Off-Peak Gates

Eight of the 14 container terminals at the Los Angeles-Long Beach ports, pointing to slow cargo volume since the Chinese New Year, have suspended one off-peak gate per week until demand picks up.

In a report to the harbor community, PierPass, which operates the extended gates program at Los Angeles-Long Beach, said terminal operators will return to five night and weekend gates as cargo volumes dictate.

Terminal operators in the nation’s largest port complex normally operate five extended gates each week, usually one Saturday day gate and four weeknight gates. In its report on February activity, PierPass noted the average number of day gate moves was 15,695 and terminals saw an average 14,802 night moves.

By The Numbers: Containerized Ocean Trade - Southern California Ports

Cargo volume normally drops off during the Chinese New Year celebration in Asia and for some weeks afterward as factories reopen and build back production. The harbor is still seeing slow container throughput nearly two months after the Chinese New Year on Feb. 3.

Last year, the terminals did not return to a full slate of extended gates until summer. The result was greater congestion in spring and early summer. PierPass President Bruce Wargo said he expects the terminals will return to five off-peak gates earlier date this year.

The report also noted the average in-terminal turn time in February was 33.7 minutes during the day shift and 38.8 minutes during the night shift.