Port of Long Beach continues to set a new record and warns of spike in cargo as China reopens

Port of Los Angeles, USA (Photo: Port of Los Angeles)

The Port of Long Beach handled 820,718 TEUs of containerized cargo in April, up 10% from the previous monthly record set in April 2021. April this year marks the fourth consecutive month that the Port of Long Beach has set a new monthly record.

“CCargo continues to move at a record-setting pace and may not slow down anytime soon,” said Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach Executive Director. “We are preparing for a likely summertime surge as China recovers from an extended shutdown due to COVID-19. Shippers are quickly moving imports and empties from the docks, terminals are staying open longer and we are working to finalize our new Supply Chain Information Highway data tracking solution.”

Imports in April increased by 9.2% to 400,803 TEU, while the volume of empty containers passing through the port also increased by 16.9% to 298,039 TEU. However, exports in April fell 1.8% year-on-year to 121,876 TEUs. Currently, ocean carriers are facing strict scrutiny for providing shipping services to US exporters.

“We are working closely with our industry stakeholders to quickly move the cargo off our docks and make room for the next wave of containers,” said Steven Neal - Long Beach Harbor Commission President. “As the supply chain continues to catch up, the Port of Long Beach will continue to serve as a reliable partner in trans-Pacific trade.”

The Port of Long Beach announcement emphasized that shippers are expected to be busier than usual as the pandemic-induced lockdown is lifted across China. However, the Port of Long Beach also noted that retail activity is slowing down due to inflation, while consumers are also adjusting their household budgets to spend more on entertainment, restaurants and other direct services. Despite a strong start to the year in the container shipping industry, the outlook remains murky due to issues such as inflation, weak demand in the United States, uncertainty regarding China’s lockdowns, and the war in Ukraine.

Source: Phaata.com (According to gCaptain)

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