By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Long Beach posted its second-best June in history, moving 658,727 TEUs this month for a growth of 9 percent year over year, according to the port’s latest numbers.
The nation’s second-busiest seaport finished a strong second quarter with nearly 1.9 million TEUs, an 8.3 percent jump from the same time last year.
In 2017 thus far, nearly 3.5 million TEUs flowed through Long Beach, a 5.1 percent increase compared to the first six months of 2016.
“These are good results as we move into the busiest trade months of the year,” said Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. “The US dollar remains strong and retailers are stocking back-to-school merchandise and other goods American consumers are purchasing.”
The port moved 335,328 TEUs of imported cargo last month, up 7 percent from June 2016, while handling 118,304 TEUs of exports, 7.7 percent fewer containers the same time a year ago. Meanwhile, empty containers, which are shipped overseas to be replenished with goods, spiked 26.8 percent, to 205,095 TEUs.
“Our customers know we work hard to efficiently deliver their cargo,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “It's good to see this evidence of their confidence in our Port — we are committed to providing the absolute best service in the country.”
