The Port of Long Beach achieved its most active June and busiest quarter on record, boosted by increased consumer demand as retailers stock shelves for back-to-school shopping.
Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 835,412 TEU in June, up 15.3 per cent from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record set in June 2018 by 83,224 TEU.
Imports rose 16.4 per cent to 415,677 TEU, while exports saw a 1.4 per cent decrease to 115,303 TEU.
Empty containers moved through the port jumped 21.6 per cent to 304,433 TEU.
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“The cargo influx arrived as pandemic-induced shutdowns were lifted in China, retailers stocked up on back-to-school supplies and ongoing consumer demand continued to be robust despite inflation and the potential threat of an economic recession in 2023,” Long Beach wrote in its announcement.
“Consumer spending is anticipated to remain strong through the end of this year due to the healthy job market, but rising costs for food, gasoline, utilities and other goods are delivering a blow to consumer confidence.”
“We are anticipating a robust summer season as consumer demand continues to drive cargo to our docks,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We expect to remain moderately busy in the coming months, and we will work to promptly process containers lingering at the Port.”
The port has moved 5,007,778 TEU during the first half of 2022, up 5.3 per cent from the same period last year.
It was also the Port’s best quarter overall with 2,547,119 TEU moved from 1 April to 30 June, breaking the previous record set during the first quarter of 2022 by 86,460 TEU.
Dockworkers and terminal operators across the port processed 890,989 TEU, a 1.8 per cent decline over May 2021, which remains Long Beach’s busiest ever month.
