Despite a decrease in imports, cargo volume rose 6.3 percent at the Port of Long Beach last month compared to the same month last year, making for the best October in eight years, according to newly released data.
Strong export growth of 6.5 percent in October buoyed the port’s overall numbers.
However, a slight decline in imports indicated that retailers of clothing, electronics and other consumer goods apparently stocked up early for the rapidly approaching shopping season that starts with “Black Friday” – the day after Thanksgiving.
“We had an early peak in July and August, with much of the inventory for the holiday shopping season coming early,” Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup explained. “On the export side, we’ve seen increases for the past two months, as shipping lines choose Long Beach for its reliability and service.”
“Year to date, we’re up more than five percent, so 2015 is shaping up to be one of our best years ever,” he said.
A total of 619,983 TEUs moved through the port in October. Exports increased to 128,308 TEUs and empty containers – those being sent back overseas to be refilled with goods – continued to rise, climbing 20.8 percent to 183,681 TEUs.
Imports, however, were down 0.8 percent to 307,995 TEUs.
Through the first 10 months of 2015, Long Beach cargo was up 5.4 percent overall compared to the same period last year.
The latest and historical monthly cargo numbers are available at www.polb.com/stats.
