Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach set a new record in September ٢٠٢٣ by moving a total of ٢.٠٤ million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). These two ports, recognized as the busiest ports in the United States, had unprecedented performance in the month due to strong demand for imports and changes in global trade patterns.
Details of Long Beach Port Performance
Long Beach Port announced on Thursday that it moved ٩٩٧,١٧٧ TEU in September, which is a ٢٥ percent increase compared to last year and surpassed the previous record of ٩٨٧,١٩١ TEU set in October ٢٠٢٢. This month is considered the busiest month in the ١١٥-year history of Long Beach Port.
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This record comes after the announcement of the record-breaking performance of the Port of Los Angeles, which moved ١,٠٤٢,٦٥٢ TEU in September. This number is also the highest monthly total in the ١١٨-year history of the Port of Los Angeles.
Reasons for Increased Cargo Movement
Overall, the two neighboring ports moved ٢,٠٣٩,٨٢٩ TEU in September, which includes over ١.٠٥ million TEU of import cargo. This increase is due to retailers' efforts to replenish inventories and adjust transportation strategies in the face of high fuel costs and trade uncertainties.
Long Beach Port's CEO, Noel Hasgaba, stated in the monthly supply chain insight meeting: “Carriers continue to rely on Long Beach Port as a trusted partner in their business strategies, leading to our historic month for loading.”
Imports to Long Beach Port have increased by ٣١.٣ percent compared to last year, reaching ٥٠٩,٣٩٠ TEU. Exports have also increased by ٧.٨ percent, reaching ٩١,٧٤٧ TEU. Movements of empty containers have also increased by ٢٢.١ percent, reaching ٣٩٦,٠٤٠ TEU.
The Port of Los Angeles has reported similar performance, with import cargo at this port increasing by ١٩ percent, reaching ٥٤٥,٦٩٦ TEU. This port also managed ١٢٥,٧٥١ TEU of exports and about ٣٧١,٢٠٦ TEU of empty containers, both of which have increased compared to last year.
Port officials attribute the sharp increase in performance to several factors, including sustained consumer demand, reduced U.S. tariffs, and carriers' efforts to find alternative options instead of traditional routes affected by Panama Canal restrictions and security concerns around the Suez Canal. Additionally, high diesel prices have made the trans-Pacific route to the U.S. West Coast more attractive.
This record-breaking event in September occurs as the National Retail Federation (NRF) expects the peak shipping season to end unusually long soon.
In the latest Global Port Tracker report released, NRF and Hackett Associates have predicted that imports at major U.S. ports will decrease from ٢.٣ million TEU in August to ٢.٢٨ million TEU in September, and then to ٢.٢٥ million TEU in October and ٢ million TEU in November.
Despite any fluctuations in the final data, it appears that we have passed the busiest part of the year.
Long Beach Port moved ٧,٦٧٥,٢٥٥ TEU in the first nine months of ٢٠٢٣, showing a ٣.٩ percent increase compared to last year. The Port of Los Angeles also processed nearly ٨.١ million TEU during the same period, which is over ٣ percent ahead of last year.
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