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UNLIKE its neighbouring port of Los Angeles, Long Beach's container traffic fell sharply in August with the 682,312 TEU handled down 15.4 per cent on the corresponding month of 2022, according to media reports.

The Port of Long Beach saw a modest start to the traditional "peak" shipping season as warehouses remained overstocked and consumers continued to pivot toward travel and other summertime activities, according to the company's release.

Imports also decreased 15.4 per cent to 325,436 TEU, while exports were down 23.1 per cent to 93,402 TEU. Empty containers moving through the port declined 12.5 per cent to 263,474 TEU.

The Port has moved 4,993,237 TEU during the first eight months of 2023, down 24.4 per cent from the same period last year. Cargo flows this year have been on pace with pre-pandemic levels, when the Port of Long Beach moved more than 4.9 million TEU through August 2019.

As the premier US gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the port handles trade valued at US$200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the US, including 575,000 in Southern California.

In 2022, industry leaders named it "The Best West Coast Seaport in North America" for the fourth consecutive year. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.2 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.