In August, the Port of Long Beach experienced its strongest month in its 113-year history, driven by peak shipping season as retailers expedited cargo shipments ahead of potential tariff hikes and ongoing labour negotiations at East and Gulf Coast seaports.
“Cargo diversions and concerns about upcoming tariffs are creating a busy peak season for us. We’re prepared for the uptick in shipments and continued growth through the rest of the year with a dedicated waterfront workforce, modern infrastructure and plenty of capacity across our terminals,” commented Mario Cordero, CEO of Port of Long Beach.
Dockworkers and terminal operators handled 913,873 TEUs in August, a 33.9% increase from the same month last year, surpassing the Californian port’s previous monthly record set in May 2021 by 6,657 TEUs.
“The docks are bustling with record-setting activity as we continue to move cargo quickly, reliably and sustainably,” stated Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal.
Imports surged 40.4% compared to August 2023, reaching 456,868 TEUs, while exports grew by 12% to 104,646 TEUs. The movement of empty containers rose by 33.7% to 352,360 TEUs. This marked the third consecutive month of year-over-year growth and only the second time the Port of Long Beach surpassed 900,000 TEUs in a single month.
The major US port has moved 6,087,875 TEUs during the first eight months of 2024, up 21.9% from the same period last year.
