As consumer spending slows, the Port of Long Beach saw its cargo numbers dip slightly last month from the same time a year ago, narrowly missing a record month, according to new data released by the port Sept. 16.
The seaport handled 806,940 TEUs in August, dipping 0.1% from August 2021, the port’s busiest August on record.
Imports fell 5.6% to 384,530 TEUs, while exports inched up 1.6% to 121,408 TEUs last month compared to the same time in 2021. Meanwhile, empties rose 7.2% to 301,001 TEUs year over year.
“We’re making great strides in reducing the number of ships queuing to enter the San Pedro Bay ports complex and quickly moving imports and empty containers out of the terminals,” Port Executive Director Mario Cordero said. “We are collaborating with stakeholders to provide more information, more space and more flexibility across the supply chain.”
In the last six of eight months, the port has shattered monthly cargo records, processing more than 6.6 million TEUs so far this year, 4% more compared to the first eight months of 2021, according to POLB data.
