Container volumes at the Port of Long Beach were 1.9 percent lower in August compared to the same month the year before, the port announced last week.
A total of 679,543 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were moved through the port. Imports declined 3.6 percent to 343,029 TEUs, while exports increased, inching up 1.9 percent to 119,546 TEUs. Empty containers sent overseas dipped 1.1 percent to 216,968 TEUs.
“Our port’s decline in cargo over the last two months is in large part due to a realignment of ocean-carrier alliance services and port calls,” said Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach executive director. “Another factor is higher tariffs by the United States and China. Thus far, that appears to have helped increase traffic, as shippers act to beat duties imposed on goods this summer.”
August, 2017, was one of the busiest months in the Port of Long Beach’s 107-year history, officials said. They added that, at the time, it was the port’s third-busiest month on record, having been exceeded three times since.
Long Beach’s volumes through the first eight months of the year stand at 5,320,930 TEUs. The figure is 9.4 percent above the pace of 2017.
“The higher container volumes earlier this year showed the ability of international trade to bring prosperity and jobs to the U.S. and world economies,” said Tracy Egoscue, Board of Harbor Commission president.
For detailed cargo numbers, visit polb.com/stats.
