The most active April in the history of the Port of Long Beach (POLB) was recorded this year with the Californian port reporting record box volumes for a series of months in 2022.
More specifically, POLB handled 820,718 TEU in the previous month, a number equivalent to a 10% increase from the previous record set in April 2021. Imports increased 9.2% to 400,803 TEU, while exports decreased by 1.8% to 121,876 TEU. At the same time, empty containers that moved through the port increased by 16.9% to 298,039 TEU.
“Cargo continues to move at a record-setting pace and may not slow down anytime soon,” pointed out POLB executive director, Mario Cordero, who added, “We are preparing for a likely summertime surge as China recovers from an extended shutdown due to Covid-19. Shippers are quickly moving imports and empties from the docks, terminals are staying open longer and we are working to finalise our new Supply Chain Information Highway data tracking solution.”
Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach has delayed the implementation of the “Container Dwell Fee” application that will charge ocean carriers for containers that remain on the docks for a long time.
This is because the ports of San Pedro Bay – Long Beach and Los Angeles – have seen a 50% drop in aging cargo on the docks since the fee was announced on 25 October.
The port has moved 3,281,377 TEU during the first four months of 2022, recording an increase of 5.1% from the same period in the previous year.
“We are working closely with our industry stakeholders to quickly move the cargo off our docks and make room for the next wave of containers,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Steven Neal.
“As the supply chain continues to catch up, the Port of Long Beach will continue to serve as a reliable partner in trans-Pacific trade,” he added.
