Trade at the top-ranked Port of Los Angeles is growing 48% faster than the national average this year, led by imports of computers and furniture.

That trade growth puts it on the cusp of a milestone for not only the Port of Los Angeles but all U.S. airports, seaports and border crossings.

This is the first in a series of columns I am writing focused on the nation’s top “ports” — airports, seaports or border crossings — and how they are faring compared not only to last year, in the midst of the pandemic, but previous, more normal years.

This will include a look at top trade partners, top exports and top imports for each — and some of the factors influencing the results.

I will include a look at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Port Laredo in Texas, New York’s JFK International Airport, the Port of Newark and Elizabeth Marine Terminal in New Jersey, the Port of Houston, Detroit’s Ambassador Bridge, the Port of New Orleans, Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Savannah.

While a great deal of Port of Los Angeles’ super-sized gains can be explained by the crushing collapse of U.S. trade in April of May of last year thanks to Covid-19, the Southern California port’s trade is nevertheless recovered that ground and more.

Through May, the most recent data available, Port of Los Angeles trade totaled $121.67 billion, a record pace and 7.27% above the 2018 record. The question: Will the pace continue through the end of the year?