THE US West Coast gateway Port of Long Beach racked it busiest September and quarter for container handling.
The Port of Long Beach moved 2.63 million TEU in the third quarter of 2024 the highest container volume it has ever handled in a single quarter. It surpassed the previous busiest quarterly period - the second quarter of 2022 - by 78,628 TEU.
It was also the busiest September for the port handling 829,499 TEU some 70 TEU higher than the record set in September 2023, reports UK's Seatrade Maritime News.
The port attributed the record volumes to holiday related goods demand as well as shippers diverting cargo to West Coast ports ahead of industrial action over a new labour contract at East Coast ports.
The strike by dockworkers on the East Coast only lasted three days from October 1 until tentative agreement was reached on wages. Other issues including automation remain outstanding and subject to further negotiation resulting in continued uncertainty.
The Port of Long Beach remains upbeat about continued container throughput growth in the fourth quarter.
'We have plenty of room across our terminals as the peak shipping season drives a record amount of cargo through this critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade,' said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero.
'We are anticipating continued growth through the rest of the year as retailers stock the shelves for the winter holidays.'
September numbers saw imports up 2 per cent at 416,999 TEU, exports down 12.8 per cent at 88,289 TEU, and empty containers handled up 1.5 per cent at 324,211 TEU.
'Our ability to work with industry and workforce partners allows us to move large volumes of cargo reliably, quickly and sustainably,' said Long Beach Harbour Commission president Bonnie Lowenthal. 'Additionally, we continue to deliver strong customer service to meet the needs of consumers and the national supply chain.'
For the first nine months of 2024 the Port of Long Beach handled 6.92 million TEU up 18.8 per cent on the same period in 2023.
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The Port of Long Beach moved 2.63 million TEU in the third quarter of 2024 the highest container volume it has ever handled in a single quarter. It surpassed the previous busiest quarterly period - the second quarter of 2022 - by 78,628 TEU.
It was also the busiest September for the port handling 829,499 TEU some 70 TEU higher than the record set in September 2023, reports UK's Seatrade Maritime News.
The port attributed the record volumes to holiday related goods demand as well as shippers diverting cargo to West Coast ports ahead of industrial action over a new labour contract at East Coast ports.
The strike by dockworkers on the East Coast only lasted three days from October 1 until tentative agreement was reached on wages. Other issues including automation remain outstanding and subject to further negotiation resulting in continued uncertainty.
The Port of Long Beach remains upbeat about continued container throughput growth in the fourth quarter.
'We have plenty of room across our terminals as the peak shipping season drives a record amount of cargo through this critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade,' said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero.
'We are anticipating continued growth through the rest of the year as retailers stock the shelves for the winter holidays.'
September numbers saw imports up 2 per cent at 416,999 TEU, exports down 12.8 per cent at 88,289 TEU, and empty containers handled up 1.5 per cent at 324,211 TEU.
'Our ability to work with industry and workforce partners allows us to move large volumes of cargo reliably, quickly and sustainably,' said Long Beach Harbour Commission president Bonnie Lowenthal. 'Additionally, we continue to deliver strong customer service to meet the needs of consumers and the national supply chain.'
For the first nine months of 2024 the Port of Long Beach handled 6.92 million TEU up 18.8 per cent on the same period in 2023.
SeaNews Turkey
