A peak in Long Beach
While the run on the US West Coast ports continues, the Port of Long Beach achieved its busiest month and the second-best quarter in its history in March 2021.
Although March is traditionally one of the slowest months in the shipping calendar, throughput amounted to more than 840,000 teu, a 62.3% jump from March 2020 and marking the largest year-over-year increase for a single month at the port.
Imports rose 74% to 408,000 teu, while exports declined 3.9% to 140,000 teu compared to March 2020, when the economic effects of Covid-19 led to cancelled sailings and fewer cargo shipments in Long Beach.
The previous “best month” record of 816,000 teu, set in December 2020, was surpassed. It was also the third time in the Port of Long Beach’s 110-year history that it has handled more than 800,000 teu in a single month.
Empty containers, currently an important asset, moved through the port were up 112.5% to 293,000 teu. Furthermore, the port moved more than 2,376,000 teu during the first quarter of 2021, a 41.2% increase compared to the same period in 2020. (cd)