Resilient consumer demand continues to drive high volumes of cargo through the Port of Long Beach, which handled a record number of containers for the month of July, according to the company’s release. Dockworkers and terminals moved 784,845 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, a 4.2% increase from the same month a year ago.
July 2020, with 753,081 TEUs, was the previous “best July.” Imports slightly grew last month, at 382,940 TEUs, a 1.6% increase, while exports decreased 20.7% year-over-year to 109,951 TEUs. Empties moved out of Long Beach ballooned 22.8%, to 291,955 TEUs.
“Ships arrived last month to move these empty containers out of the harbor and clear valuable terminal space as we handle historic amounts of trade,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “These boxes are a valuable commodity in the overstressed global supply chain. Our loaded exports are likely to rebound this month.”
“Our dockworkers and industry partners have risked their health to keep the gears of our economy turning during this pandemic,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal. “We thank them, and acknowledge their service as we continue a remarkable run of records at the Port of Long Beach.”
