Demand for holiday-related items pushed the Port of Long Beach to its busiest September and quarter on record.
Dockworkers and terminal operators transported 829,499 TEUs last month, up just 70 TEUs from the previous high set in September 2023.
September also saw the port’s fourth straight monthly year-on-year (YoY) tonnage gain. Imports gained 2 per cent to 416,999 TEUs, while exports fell 12.8 per cent to 88,289 TEUs.
Empty containers passing through the port increased 1.5 per cent to 324,211 TEUs.
Port of Long Beach CEO, Mario Cordero, said: “We have plenty of room across our terminals as the peak shipping season drives a record amount of cargo through this critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade.
“We are anticipating continued growth through the rest of the year as retailers stock the shelves for the winter holidays.”
READ: Port of Long Beach witnesses busiest month on record
Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Bonnie Lowenthal, added: “Our ability to work with industry and workforce partners allows us to move large volumes of cargo reliably, quickly and sustainably. Additionally, we continue to deliver strong customer service to meet the needs of consumers and the national supply chain.”
The port handled 6.91 million TEUs in the first nine months of 2024, rising 18.8 per cent from the same time the previous year.
It was also the port’s busiest quarter overall, with 2.62 million TEUs handled between 1 July and 30 September, exceeding the previous record established in the second quarter of 2022 by 78,628 TEUs.
