Cargo shipments rose at the Port of Long Beach in May as the
economic effects of COVID-19 started to subside.
Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 628,205 TEUs of
container cargo last month, a 9.5 percent increase from May 2019. Imports grew
7.6 percent to 312,590 TEUs, while exports climbed 11.6 percent to 134,556
TEUs. Empty containers headed back overseas jumped 11.4 percent to 181,060
TEUs.
The Port has moved 2,830,855 TEUs during the first five
months of 2020, down 5.9 percent from the same period in 2019.
“Our strong numbers reflect the efforts of our Business
Recovery Task Force, which is setting the path for efficient cargo movement and
growth,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach. “Our
focus on operational excellence and world-class customer service will continue
as we prioritize our industry-leading infrastructure development projects.”
“We aren’t out of the woods, but this is the gradual growth
we have anticipated as the United States starts to rebound from the devastating
economic impacts of COVID-19 and the trade war with China,” said Long Beach
Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal.
As part of its recovery efforts, the Port of Long Beach has
activated an internal Business Recovery Task Force that works with customers,
industry partners, labor and government agencies to ensure terminal and supply
chain operations continue without disruption, along with expediting shipments
of crucial personal protective equipment.
May marked the first month in 2020 that cargo shipments rose
at the nation’s second-busiest port, and followed seven consecutive months of
declines attributed to the U.S.-China trade dispute and the COVID-19 epidemic.
