Following the COVID-19 situation, Port of Long Beach keeps experiencing the coronavirus impacts, marking several canceled sailings and a decline in cargo containers shipments during March. For the records, last month, the US second busiest port saw a 9.8% drop in cargo volumes.
With Port of Long Beach struggling to remain operational, terminal operators and dockworkers managed to move 517.663 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, a 6.4% decline in comparison to March 2019.
At the same time, imports marked a drop by 5% to 234.570 TEUs, while exports increased by 10.7% to 145.442 TEUs. As for the empty containers shipped overseas, were dropped by 21% to 13.652 TEUs.
The coronavirus is delivering a shock to the supply chain that continues to ripple across the national economy. We’re definitely seeing a reduction in the flow of cargo at San Pedro Bay, but the ports remain open and operating, and we are maintaining business continuity.
…said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, 19 sailings were canceled during the first quarter of 2020, resulting to a 6.9% decline in cargo trade compared to the first three months of 2019.
Moreover, in order to prevent the spread of the disease port authorities have increased cleaning operations on the docks, trying to maintain the health and safety of dockworkers, truckers, terminal operators and others.
The health and well-being of our entire workforce, our stakeholders and our community remain a top priority as we balance our duty to keep goods moving through this vital link in the national supply chain. In the face of new challenges, the Port of Long Beach continues to adapt to the needs of our customers and consumers.
… Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal concluded.
