Overcoming the COVID-19 challenges, the Port of Long Beach reports a strong month, noting that it had its best August in its 109-year history.
Accordingly, in August, demand for goods such as home improvement items and home exercise equipment contributed to the increase in shipments, along with another short-term increase in extra vessel visits to make up for voyages that were canceled earlier this year.
In addition, dockworkers and terminal operators last month moved 725,610 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo, a 9.3% increase compared to August 2019. Imports increased by 13% to 364,792 TEUs and exports were up 1% to 126,177 TEUs.
Also, empty containers shipped overseas climbed 8.5% to 234,642 TEUs, according to the new numbers released by the port.
Year-to-date through August, the Port has moved a total of 4,911,725 TEUs, down 1.2% from the same period in 2019.
Referring to the port’s record-month, Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach commented that
Despite the recent surge in cargo, uncertainty remains in international trade and the national economy, given the ongoing COVID-19 impacts. August marked another great month for the Port, but we must remain vigilant about the global pandemic’s lasting effects.
