The Port of Long Beach (POLB) has reported the most active June and busiest quarter on record, driven by increased consumer demand as retailers stocked shelves for back-to-school shopping.
Specifically, terminal workers moved 835,412 TEU in June, up 15.3% from the same month last year and beating the previous record set in June 2018 by 83,224 TEU.
“We are anticipating a robust summer season as consumer demand continues to drive cargo to our docks. We expect to remain moderately busy in the coming months, and we will work to promptly process containers lingering at the Port,” said Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero.
Imports rose 16.4% to 415,677 TEU, while exports fell 1.4% to 115,303 TEU. At the same time, empty containers handled through the port increased by 21.6% to 304,433 TEU.
“Our waterfront workforce continues to move cargo at a record-setting pace. Our strong partnerships with labor and industry continue to make us a leader in trans-Pacific trade,” noted Long Beach Harbor Commission president Steven Neal.
In the first half of 2022, the port has moved 5,007,778 TEU, up 5.3% from the same period last year. The second quarter of the year (April – June) was the port’s best quarter in history with 2,547,119 TEU, breaking the previous record set in the first quarter of 2022 by 86,460 TEU.
The reasons for the large inflow of cargo are the lifting of pandemic shutdowns in China, retailers stocking up on school supplies and continued consumer demand, which has remained strong despite inflation and the potential threat of an economic recession in 2023.
POLB believes that consumer spending will remain strong through the end of this year due to a healthy labor market, but rising costs for food, gasoline, utilities and other goods are hurting consumer confidence.
