The Port of Long Beach set a new record for inbound cargo in September, surpassing its previous high set two years ago during one of its busiest months, as retailers prepare for the holiday season. "We have ample capacity across our terminals as the peak shipping season drives record cargo volumes through this vital gateway for trans-Pacific trade," said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. "We expect continued growth for the rest of the year as retailers stock up for the winter holidays."
In September, the port processed the equivalent of 828,499 20-foot cargo containers, breaking the previous record by 70 containers, according to a report released Wednesday. This comes after a surge in shipping traffic throughout the year. In the first nine months of 2024, Long Beach handled 6.9 million containers, nearly 19% ahead of last year's pace. The period from July 1 to September 30 was also the port’s busiest quarter on record, surpassing the second quarter of 2022.
Officials noted that the port is well-positioned to handle the rest of the busy season without major congestion, even as East and Gulf Coast seaports prepare for a labor contract deadline that triggered a three-day strike earlier this month. "Our collaboration with industry and workforce partners enables us to move large volumes of cargo efficiently, reliably, and sustainably," said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. "We also continue to provide strong customer service to meet the demands of consumers and the national supply chain."
Source: www.lbbusinessjournal.com
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