Port of Long Beach enjoys its best ever August in its history

THE Port of Long Beach had the best August in its 109-year history, marking a strong start to the peak shipping season, although Covid-19 continues to create economic uncertainty.

Dockers and terminal operators lifted 725,610 TEU in August, a 9.3 per cent year-on-year increase. Imports jumped 13 per cent to 364,792 TEU and exports were up one per cent to 126,177 TEU. Outbound empties climbed 8.5 per cent to 234,642 TEU.



'Despite the recent surge in cargo, uncertainty remains in international trade and the national economy, given the ongoing Covid-19 impacts,' said port executive director Mario Cordero.



'I commend our dockworkers and business partners for a successful August; they've gone above and beyond to keep goods moving,' said Long Beach Harbour Commission president Frank Colonna.



The boost comes at the start of the peak shipping season, which typically runs from August to October as retailers prepare for Christmas shopping.



In August, demand for such goods as home improvement items and home exercise equipment contributed to the increase in shipments, along with another short-term increase in extra vessel visits that made up for voyages that were canceled earlier this year.



The port has moved 4,911,725 TEU during the first eight months of 2020, 1.2 per cent down from the same period in 2019.


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