The Port of Long Beach moved 724,297 TEU in June 2021, up a fifth from the June 2020.
The 20.3% increase was driven mainly by imports and empty containers at the port.
Imports rose 18.8% to 357,101 TEU, while exports saw a relatively flat decrease of 0.5% to 116,947 TEU.
Empty containers moved through the port jumped 36% to 250,249 TEU.
Demand for household products, electronics and other goods rose as consumers returned to work following the COVID-19 pandemic and contributed to a 38.5% increase in cargo shipments at the Port of Long Beach during the first half of 2021 compared to the same period last year, with 4,753,828 TEU processed.
Second quarter throughput was 2,377,700 TEU, up 35.8% from 2020, marking the second-best quarter in the Port’s 110-year history.
Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, commented, “We anticipate e-commerce to drive much of our cargo movement through the rest of 2021 as retailers plan for a busy summer season.
“However, June serves as an indicator that consumer demand for goods will gradually level off as the national economy continues to open up and services become more widely available.”
Fewer cargo ships called at the Port of Long Beach in June compared to a month earlier due to shifting services and a COVID-19 outbreak at the Yantian port in China that resulted in some vessels delaying arrivals until July.
Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna, added, “We’re optimistic that this is shaping up to be one of our busiest years on record as we continue to overcome the challenges related to COVID-19.
“We will continue to collaborate with our waterfront workers and industry partners to move cargo quickly and efficiently through the supply chain during this time of ongoing economic recovery.”
