By Mark Edward Nero
Cargo volumes at the Port of Long Beach rose 11.3 percent last year to 6.73 million TEUs, making 2013 the port’s third-busiest year ever, behind only 2006 and 2007, according to newly released data.
In 2013, imports were up 12.8 percent to 3.45 million TEUs, while exports rose 10.7 percent to 1.7 million TEUs and empties were up 8.8 percent to 1.57 million TEUs, according to port numbers.
Shipping container volume rose in part because major shipping lines – CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. – began increasing service to Long Beach at the end of 2012, according to the POLB.
December 2013 saw a slight dip in imports, but overall finished with a four percent increase over the same month in 2012, according to data. The overall number of containers increased to 582,443 TEUs during the month, while imports were down 1.4 percent to 291,434 TEUs. Exports were up 9.3 percent to 148,150 TEUs compared to the same month the year before, and the number empty containers moved rose 10.8 percent to 142,859 TEUs.
“Our economy is getting better, and the port is providing a shot in the arm for Long Beach and all of Southern California,” Al Moro, the port’s Acting Executive Director, said.
More details on Long Beach’s cargo numbers are available at www.polb.com/stats.
