Long Beach Cargo Import Dips in February

Import volume was down 2.7 percent, while exports were up 2.1 percent at the Port of Long Beach in February, compared to the same month last year. Overall cargo volume dipped 2.6 percent due to an 8.3 percent decline in empty containers.

A total of 517,173 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) moved through the Port of Long Beach during February. Imports numbered 271,671 TEUs, down 2.7 percent from 2013. Exports rose 2.1 percent to 143,572 containers. Empty containers were down 8.3 percent to 101,930 TEUs.

Cargo numbers were affected by the Lunar New Year, a holiday celebrated in China and other countries in East Asia. The holiday fell on Jan. 31 this year, and it started a two-week period during which many businesses in Asia close their doors to allow employees to be with their families; production is minimal and business is slow. Because of the time for vessels to cross the Pacific, the Port is impacted from mid-February to early March.

The Port of Long Beach said it continues to invest long term and is three years into a decade-long, $4 billion program to upgrade its facilities.

polb.com