By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Long Beach reported on Monday June 12, a strong May for goods movement, handling 648,287 TEUs for a 1.2 percent increase from the same period last year.
Port officials are in part crediting new vessel-sharing alliances for last month’s cargo movement, which had been the port’s second-highest May in a decade.
"Last May was a great month, so we're encouraged that we did even better this year," said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. "Our strong belief is that if we continue to build the most modern facilities of any port in the United States and provide the best service, the customers will come."
The port also moved 336,594 TEUs in imports, 1.8 percent more than May 2016. Meanwhile, it handled 14.3 percent fewer export containers, with 118,786 TEUs.
For the first five months of 2017, cargo traffic has risen 4.1 percent in Long Beach.
"The new alliances are making more efficient use of our terminals with their deployments," said Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. "Beyond that, the strong U.S. dollar is growing our imports, but not helping our exports. Still, we’re in line with our projections for the year, and the Port is in a strong position as we head into the peak season."