Port of Los Angeles tops US in international cargo value.

The Port of Los Angeles is now the US top international freight gateway in 2003, based on an announcement by the US Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

According to the America? Freight Transportation Gateway report, the Port of Los Angeles handled $17 billion in export trade and $105 billion in import trade. The Port? total of $122 billion in cargo handled was $10 billion more in freight value than JFK International Airport, which held the number one spot since 1999 and now is in second place. Other gateway rankings include: Port of Detroit with $102 billion; Port of New York/New Jersey with $101 billion; and Port of Long Beach with $96 billion. Los Angeles International Airport ranked seventh with $64 billion.

?his announcement is further evidence that Los Angeles continues as the center of international trade for the nation,?said Mayor Jim Hahn. ?or our trading partners around the world, Los Angeles provides a safe environment for their goods. With that safety ensured, our manufacturing, financial center, transportation infrastructure and, of course, our consumers, attract the lion? share of goods to our gateway.?Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners President, Nicholas Tonsich, commented, ?he Port is proud to play a vital role in world trade and the economic well being of the region and nation while also striving to be an environmental steward for the quality of life for our surrounding communities.?

Port of Los Angeles Interim Director, Bruce Seaton, added, ?he news of the Port of Los Angeles as the nation's leading freight gateway reinforces our focus on working with our customers and other port stakeholders to set the industry standard for excellence not only in the movement of cargo but in environmental initiatives and security enhancements.?

The America? Freight Transportation Gateways report is due for release in mid-January and highlights the key gateways and border crossings from air, water and land modes. For more information or to obtain the complete report visit www.bts.gov.

The Port of Los Angeles is America? premier port. As the leading container port in the US and a critical hub in the international supply chain, the Port generates thousands of stable, well paying jobs. It has also placed a high priority on smart growth initiatives combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. The Port of Los Angeles is a proprietary, self-supporting department of the City of Los Angeles.