Port of Long Beach Reports Decline in September Cargo Volumes
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Port of Long Beach dockworkers and terminal operators moved 741,823 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo containers in September, down 0.9% from the same month last year, citing “diminishing consumer demand, full warehouses and inflation concerns” as reasons for the decline.
Imports decreased 7.4% to 342,671 TEUs, while exports increased 1.9% to 112,940 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the Port rose 7% to 286,212 TEUs.
According to the Port, consumers are “growing more cautious with spending as the economy faces persistent inflation and aggressive tightening by the Federal Reserve.”
“Consumers and retailers are concerned about inflation, leading to warehouses filled with inventory and fewer product orders from Asia,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “The respite is leading to increased capacity on the docks and fewer ships waiting off the coast to enter the Port.”
The Port of Long Beach has moved 7,342,383 TEUs during the first nine months of 2022, up 3.5% from the same period in 2021. Additionally, the Port processed 2,334,605 TEUs between July 1 and Sept. 30, down 0.3% from the third quarter of 2021.
“We appreciate our longshore labor, marine terminal operators, truckers and all of our other industry partners who continue to move cargo quickly, reliably and sustainably,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman. “We’re hoping to close the year on a positive note that focuses on our efforts to improve cargo flow while dramatically enhancing air quality.”
