CONTAINER throughput at the Port of Long Beach increased by 8.7 per cent in January to 582,689 TEU compared to the same month last year on the back of renewed activity at its largest terminal, combined with extra ships calling the port ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Exports in January reached 118,234 TEU, while imports totalled 298,990 TEU, year-over-year increases of 10.8 per cent and 7.4 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, empties being sent back to the Far East rose 9.6 per cent from January 2016 to 165,465 TEU, according to American Shipper.
The port benefited from renewed activity at the Pier T Terminal, operated by Total Terminals International (TTI), which is now controlled by Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Co. that Hyundai Merchant Marine also has a minority stake in.
TIL purchased a majority stake in the terminal after Hanjin Shipping filed for bankruptcy last year.
Port of Long Beach Interim chief executive Duane Kenagy said with new alliances beginning this spring, 2017 is expected to be a transition year for the industry. "Long Beach stands ready to provide a dependable harbour as carriers adjust to new services, while we continue upgrading our berths and rail network to speed their cargo inland," Mr Kenagy said.
