CONTAINER throughput at the Port of Long Beach reached a record level last month by handling a total of 706,956 TEU - an increase of 8 per cent over the same period last year, making it the busiest September in the port's long history.
Imports were down 0.7 per cent to 354,919 TEU, while exports were up 1.4 per cent to 123,215 TEU. Empty containers moved out of the United States to be reused in the global supply chain rose 2.9 per cent to 228,822 TEU, according to media reports.
While the port had a strong month, cargo volumes are treading down overall. During the third quarter, the port processed 1.99 million TEU. The pace was 3.7 per cent down from third quarter 2018, a year when the Port was well on its way to an annual total of 8.1 million TEU, an all-time high. Through September, cargo volumes have decreased 5.7 per cent, compared to the first nine months of 2018.
'We saw increased ship calls in September,' said Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero. 'We're ready to provide high-quality service to all vessels, though we continue to advocate for an end to the cycle of tariffs to give American businesses the certainty they need to thrive. I'd like to thank our terminal operators, the ILWU, ocean carriers, beneficial cargo owners and our many supply chain partners who made this record result possible.'
Long Beach Harbour Commission president Bonnie Lowenthal commented: 'The Port of Long Beach is going to have one of its busiest years ever, despite the challenges related to the trade war. Top-notch customer service is our calling card, and we'll continue to collaborate with our customers to enhance their ability to move cargo faster and more reliably during these challenging times.'
WORLD SHIPPING
Imports were down 0.7 per cent to 354,919 TEU, while exports were up 1.4 per cent to 123,215 TEU. Empty containers moved out of the United States to be reused in the global supply chain rose 2.9 per cent to 228,822 TEU, according to media reports.
While the port had a strong month, cargo volumes are treading down overall. During the third quarter, the port processed 1.99 million TEU. The pace was 3.7 per cent down from third quarter 2018, a year when the Port was well on its way to an annual total of 8.1 million TEU, an all-time high. Through September, cargo volumes have decreased 5.7 per cent, compared to the first nine months of 2018.
'We saw increased ship calls in September,' said Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero. 'We're ready to provide high-quality service to all vessels, though we continue to advocate for an end to the cycle of tariffs to give American businesses the certainty they need to thrive. I'd like to thank our terminal operators, the ILWU, ocean carriers, beneficial cargo owners and our many supply chain partners who made this record result possible.'
Long Beach Harbour Commission president Bonnie Lowenthal commented: 'The Port of Long Beach is going to have one of its busiest years ever, despite the challenges related to the trade war. Top-notch customer service is our calling card, and we'll continue to collaborate with our customers to enhance their ability to move cargo faster and more reliably during these challenging times.'
WORLD SHIPPING