Port of Long Beach has reported that its trade fell in July 2023 as a result of new trade routes, full warehouses, and a change in consumer spending towards vacation, entertainment, and other activities.
Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 578,249 TEU last month, down 26.4 per cent from July 2022, which was the port’s busiest July on record.
Imports declined 27.9 per cent to 271,086 TEU, while exports decreased 17.6 per cent to 90,134 TEU. Empty containers moving through the port were down 27.7 per cent to 217,030 TEU.
READ: Port of Long Beach registers strongest month in 2023
Port of Long Beach CEO, Mario Cordero, said: “I am confident we will see our numbers improve as we work with industry partners to rebuild our market share.
“Looking ahead in the near term however, we anticipate a modest ‘peak season’ for shipping as consumers spend a little less this year on back-to-school supplies and gifts through the holiday season.”
Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr., stated: “Our facilities, longshore labour, marine terminal operators and all of our industry partners continue to make this the premier gateway for transpacific goods movement.
“We are ready for a rebound in cargo volume based on our ability to move cargo reliably, quickly and sustainably.”
The port has moved 4.3 million TEU during the first seven months of 2023, down 25.6 per cent from the same period last year.
Cargo flows are now closer to pre-pandemic levels, when the Port of Long Beach moved 4.3 million TEU through the first seven months of 2019.
In June 2023, the Port of Long Beach container volume declined, recording a throughput of 597,076 TEU.
More recently, the US Department of Homeland Security granted $2.72 million to the Port of Long Beach.
