Photo courtesy Port of Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach experienced unprecedented growth in August, setting a new all-time record for monthly cargo volume in its 113-year history. The surge comes as retailers rush to move goods ahead of potential tariff increases and ongoing labor negotiations at East and Gulf coast seaports.
Dockworkers and terminal operators processed 913,873 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, marking a 33.9% increase from the previous year and surpassing the port’s previous monthly record set in May 2021. Imports saw a significant jump of 40.4% to 456,868 TEUs, marking the third consecutive month where loaded imports exceeded 400,000 TEUs.
Exports rose 12% to 104,646 TEUs, while empty containers moved through the port increased 33.7% to 352,360 TEUs.
Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero attributed the surge to cargo diversions and concerns about upcoming tariffs. “We’re prepared for the uptick in shipments and continued growth through the rest of the year with a dedicated waterfront workforce, modern infrastructure and plenty of capacity across our terminals,” he said.
The impressive August figures contribute to a strong year-to-date performance, with the port handling 6,087,875 TEUs in the first eight months of 2024, a 21.9% increase from the same period last year.
Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal emphasized the port’s efficiency, saying, “The docks are bustling with record-setting activity as we continue to move cargo quickly, reliably and sustainably.”
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