By Karen Robes Meeks
Cargo volumes at the Port of Long Beach dropped 4.4 percent last month from the same period last year, according to the latest released numbers.
The port handled 688,457 TEUs last month, a decline port officials claim is caused by shifts in vessel service and the escalation of tariffs that threaten to slow trade activity.
Imports also fell 8.2 percent to 347,736 TEUs and exports were down five percent to 119,747 TEUs.
Even with the latest drop, the port is on track to record its busiest year in history, with cargo movement up 11.3 percent so far–nearly 500,000 TEUs more than the January to July 2017 numbers – for a total of 4.6 million TEUs.
