Cargo at the Port of Long Beach declined in May due to shifting trade routes and cancelled voyages.
Dockworkers and terminal operators transported 695,937 TEU last month, an 8.2 per cent decrease from May 2023.
Imports fell 4.5 per cent to 345,271 TEU, while exports dropped 21.1 per cent to 100,885 TEU. Empty containers passing through the port fell 7 per cent to 249,782 TEU.
The port has transported 3.4 million TEU in the first five months of 2024, which is still 10 per cent higher than the same time in 2023.
READ: Port of Long Beach nears 3 million TEU moved so far
Port of Long Beach CEO, Mario Cordero, said: “I am confident we will see additional cargo as we work with industry partners to rebuild our market share in this increasingly competitive environment.
“Looking ahead, I anticipate a moderate increase in cargo as we move into summer and we recapture business by delivering the top-notch customer service that makes us the Port of Choice.”
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Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Bobby Olvera Jr., stated: “Our longshore labour, facilities and industry partners are ready for cargo growth as we head into the shipping season for back-to-school and beyond, thanks to our ability to move goods reliably, quickly and sustainably.
“Over the long term, the San Pedro Bay ports complex will continue to be a strategic and sustainable gateway for trans-pacific trade.”
