Throughput at the Port of Long Beach fell substantially last year as the impact of the trade dispute with China took its toll.
Import cargo declined by a substantial 8.7% to 3.75m TEU, while exports fell 3.3% to 1.47m TEU, with overall container movements for 2019 falling 5.7% to 7.63m TEU. Cargo volumes for 2019 showed a 13.4% compared to 2018 and showed a continued decline in the fiscal year, from 1 October to 30 September, with the year to date figure showing imports falling 9.8%, to 953,580 TEU, but exports increasing 10.6% to 380,735TEU.
Executive Director Mario Cordero said there are “better times ahead” and that progress on trade war discussions were positive, although he also highlighted the challenge the port faced due to the lack of investment from business and the persistent uncertainty in the maritime sector.
In what looked like an attempt to put a poor year behind the port Cordero took a look at the positives heading into 2020, with a new port logo, that conveys excellence, and the facility’s new website. All improvements, but no substitute for cargo.
Nick Savvides
Managing Editor, Container News
