Slowing consumer demand and a growing number of imports shifting to Gulf and East Coast seaports affected the number of containers coming through the Port of Long Beach last month, the port said Nov. 10.
About 658,428 TEUs moved through Long Beach in October, a 16.6% drop from the same time last year, with imports falling 23.7% to 293,924 TEUs and exports dipping 2% to 119,763 TEUs year over year.
Meanwhile, empties dropped 13.4% to 244,743 TEUs last month compared to October 2021.
“The supply chain is returning back to normal and cargo continues to move, so I am optimistic that store shelves will be stocked and goods will be available for delivery during the holiday season,” port Executive Director Mario Cordero said.
So far this year, Long Beach has handled over eight million TEUs, about 1.5% more than the first 10 months of 2021.
“We continue to collaborate with our industry and workforce partners to ensure the safe, sustainable and reliable delivery of goods moving through the port,” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman said. “The Port of Long Beach has a lengthy history of adapting to the needs of our customers during the best of times and the most difficult of times.”
