The Port of Long Beach has witnessed a decline in cargo containers amid diminishing consumer demand, full warehouses, and inflation concerns.
The port moved 741,823 TEU of cargo containers in September, down 0.9 per cent from the same period in 2021.
Imports decreased 7.4 per cent to 342,671 TEU, while exports increased 1.9 per cent to 112,940 TEU.
Empty containers moved through the port rose 7 per cent to 286,212 TEU.
“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.”
In August, the Port of Long Beach fell short of another record-breaking month as consumer spending in the US softens.
“We appreciate our longshore labour, marine terminal operators, truckers and all of our other industry partners who continue to move cargo quickly, reliably and sustainably,” added 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.”
The Port of Long Beach has moved 7,342,383 TEU during the first nine months of 2022, up 3.5 per cent from the same period in 2021.
Additionally, the port processed 2,334,605 TEU between 1 July and 30 September, down 0.3 per cent from the third quarter of 2021.
ARCHES is a public-private partnership formed to help capture newly available federal funding to assist in developing a renewable hydrogen market in California.
