By Karen Robes Meeks
Cargo volumes fell 1.9 percent last month at the Port of Long Beach from the same period last year, moving 679,543 TEUs. Imports dropped 3.6 percent to 343,029 TEUs, while exports rose 1.9 percent to 119,546 TEUs. Empty containers also lost 1.1 percent to 216,968 TEUs.
August 2017 was a tough month to topple, considering it was one of the port’s busiest months in history.
“Our port’s decline in cargo over the last two months is in large part due to a realignment of ocean carrier alliance services and port calls,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “Another factor is higher tariffs by the United States and China. Thus far, that appears to have helped increase traffic, as shippers act to beat duties imposed on goods this summer.”
Still, the port is on track to beat 2017, its record-breaking year. The port has handled 5.3 million TEUs so far this year, 9.4 percent more than the first eight months of 2017.
“The higher container volumes earlier this year showed the ability of international trade to bring prosperity and jobs to the US and world economies,” said Board of Harbor Commission President Tracy Egoscue.
