The Port of Long Beach said its strong start to 2018 continues with a historic high in cargo volume for February following in the heels of a record January.
During February, 661,790 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) moved through the California port – a 32.8 percent increase compared to last February and the first time Long Beach terminals have handled more than 600,000 cargo containers in the month.
Imports climbed 37 percent last month to 342,247 TEUs. The port handled 130,916 outbound containers, up 9.3 percent. The flourishing import market drove up the number of empty containers needed overseas, rising by 46.5 percent to 188,628 TEUs.
Port of Long Beach Executive Director, Mario Cordero, said the volumes reinforce a recent trend of ocean carriers shipping a steadier flow of cargo, noting that a decade ago, February’s results would have qualified as one of the biggest months of the year.
“A month like this is now the new normal,” Cordero said. “We expect a lull in March as East Asian nations celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday, and then a rebound in April. We’re very happy with our busy start to 2018.”
“It’s clear new vessel alliances and the increasingly interconnected global economy have shifted cargo patterns,” said Board of Harbor Commission President, Lou Anne Bynum. “The Port of Long Beach is investing $4 billion on infrastructure and leveraging technology to ensure our partners are productive and successful.”