Video: Port of LA sets new world record for most cargo moves in a single ship call

Written by Marine Log Staff
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MSC Isabella at APM Terminals, Port of Los Angeles.

History was made last week when the Port of Los Angeles, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, APM Terminals Los Angeles and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Locals 13, 63 and 94 successfully moved 18,465 containers from the MSC Isabella during a single ship call at APM Terminals’ Pier 400.

This new all-time world record — equal to 34,263 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) — is 1,385 containers more than the previously held record.

One of the largest ships in the world, the MSC Isabella is one of a new class of 23,000+ TEUs sustainable container ships recently added to the MSC global shipping network. Last week’s arrival in Los Angeles marked the ship’s first call at a North American container port.

“This achievement continues to show that the Port of Los Angeles is big-ship steady and can adeptly handle these increasingly bigger cargo lifts,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director at the Port of Los Angeles. “We applaud the outstanding work of our ILWU workforce, and the great people of APM Terminals and MSC who put their trust in the Port of Los Angeles to carry out this cargo move milestone.”

Approximately 400 meters long and 61 meters wide, the MSC Isabella can carry up to 23,656 TEUs. Named after the eldest daughter of MSC USA President and CEO Fabio Santucci, the large-class vessel arrived at APMT on Friday, June 12, and departed last Friday, June 19. During the ship’s call, the ILWU operated nine ship-to-shore cranes to execute the record-setting feat.

The Port of Los Angeles has remained open with all terminals operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the port facilitated $276 billion in trade during 2019.

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