The Port of Long Beach in August experienced its busiest month on record, moving 913,873 TEUs, according to statistics released by the port Sept. 12.
Last month’s cargo numbers were 33.9% higher than August 2023 and outpaced the former milestone set in May 2021 by 6,657 TEUs.
Imports that moved through the Long Beach seaport in August soared 40.4% year-over-year to 456,868 TEUs, while exports increased by 12% to 104,646 TEUs. Empties also rose 33.7% to 352,360 TEUs, POLB data show.
August’s cargo numbers marks the port’s third straight month of year-over-year growth and just the second time Long Beach has ever surpassed 900,000 TEUs in a single month, the port said.
The record comes as shippers are rushing goods ahead of potential disruption from possible tariff hikes and labor talks on the East and Gulf Coasts.
“Cargo diversions and concerns about upcoming tariffs are creating a busy peak season for us,” POLB CEO Mario Cordero said. “We’re prepared for the uptick in shipments and continued growth through the rest of the year with a dedicated waterfront workforce, modern infrastructure and plenty of capacity across our terminals.”
The port said that it processed 6,087,875 TEUs through the first eight months of 2024, 21.9% more than the first eight months of 2023.
