Port of Long Beach sees third busiest month ever

Much like the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles which reported its July volumes on 13 August, the Port of Long Beach handled a record 882,376 teu in July 2024, some 52.6% higher than the same month a year earlier. The monthly volume figure surpassed the previous record July record for the port set in 2022 by 12.4% and was the third busiest ever at the port.

Imports drove the record July figure with the port handling 435,081 teu in July a massive 60.5% increase over the same month in 2023.

Unlike the Port of LA though which cited an early peak season for the surge in volumes the Port of Long Beach believes the peak season is still to come.

“We’re in a strong position heading into the peak shipping season as consumers purchase back-to-school supplies and shippers move goods ahead of potential tariff increases,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We have plenty of capacity across our terminals and cargo continues to move efficiently and sustainably at this premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade.”

Exports handled by the port also grew by 16% to 104,834 teu in July this year, although export volumes remain only around one-quarter the level of imports. The volume of empty containers handled in July 2024 soared 57.8% to 342,462 teu.

The Port of Long Beach handled 5.17 million teu in the first seven months of 2024 up 20% on the same period in the previous year.

Related:Early peak season brings record volumes to Port of LA