POLB's peak in July
The rebound in US container traffic has reached the West Coast. In the Californian Port of Long Beach, the month of July marked the peak of box throughput in the port's 109-year history.
Terminals handled more than 753,000 teu, thus breaking a record established in June 2018 (752,000 teu). Trade volumes surged by 21.1% in July compared to the same month in 2019. The port witnessed a short-term increase in extra vessel visits to compensate for voyages cancelled earlier this year. Imports climbed 20.3% to almost 377,000 teu, while exports grew 24.1% to 139,000 teu.
Empty containers headed back overseas increased 20.8% to 238,000 teu. The port moved 4,2 million teu during the first seven months of 2020, 2.8% less than in the same period in 2019.
Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, commented: “It was a good month, a bright spot, in the midst of the devastating effects of the coronavirus on the economy.” (mw)