By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Long Beach posted its best September and its best quarter in cargo movement in history, according to the port’s latest numbers.
The nation’s second busiest seaport moved 701,619 TEUs in September, a 28.3 percent increase from the same period last year, and handled 2,114,306 TEUs in the third quarter.
“Simply put, we are having the best trade months in Port history,” said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “Back-to-school merchandise was strong for us, and it looks like retailers are optimistic about the holiday season.”
The port also handled 366,298 TEUs in imports, rising 29.5 percent from September 2016, and 125,336 TEUs in exports, up 4.1 percent from a year ago.
About 209,985 TEUs in empty containers were also hauled, a 46.4 percent jump from last year.
Hanjin’s bankruptcy last year factored into the large spike in last month’s cargo, the port said.
“Our continuing recovery is due to our best-in-the-industry customer service, and the best terminals and infrastructure in the nation for shippers who need to rapidly transport cargo,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We’re expecting to have great numbers right through the end of the year and challenge 2007 for our highest annual container volume in history.”
