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Image courtesy of the Port of Long Beach.

Exports at the Port of Long Beach (POLB) surged 14.8 percent in August compared to the same month last year, while overall volumes were down due to lower imports, the port announced today.

Harbor terminals moved 641,029 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, an 8.9 percent year-over-year decrease. Of those, 321,625 TEUs were import containers, which were down 10.2 percent, while exports totaled 159,247 TEUs. Empties numbered at 160,157 containers, 22.5 percent fewer than August 2015, according to the release.

That month set an all-time record for POLB cargo, according to the release.

During holiday peak season and to prepare for new, planned ocean carrier alliances, shipping lines are consolidating service routes to optimize vessel usage. Other elements influencing container volumes are high domestic retail inventories, while consumer spending remains strong, according to the release.

The port’s August numbers were not affected by Hanjin’s filing for bankruptcy on August 31.


 

Held against the first eight months of 2015, overall cargo volumes are down 2.9 percent for the calendar year.

With an ongoing $4 billion program to modernize its facilities this decade, the Port of Long Beach is building the Port of the Future by investing in capital and service improvements that will bring long-term, environmentally sustainable growth.

For the latest monthly cargo numbers, click here. For more statistics, click here.  

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].