Twin Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles Post Biggest Month Ever

LONG BEACH — July marked the busiest month in the 109-year history of the Port of Long Beach as terminal operators and dockworkers moved 753,081 cargo container units.

Trade increased 21.1% in July compared to the same month in 2019.

Cargo volumes were bolstered in July by a surge in online spending as consumers continued to avoid leaving home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The port also saw a short-term increase in extra vessel visits to compensate for voyages that were canceled earlier this year.

Imports climbed 20.3% to 376,807 twentyfoot equivalent units, or TEUs, while exports grew 24.1% to 138,602 TEUs. Empty containers headed back overseas increased 20.8% to 237,672 TEUs.

The port has moved 4,186,115 TEUs during the first seven months of 2020, 2.8% down from the same period in 2019.

Meanwhile, the Port of Los Angeles had its strongest month of 2020 moving 856,389 TEUs in July. It was also the second-best July in the port’s history, trailing July 2019 by 6.1%.

Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka said fewer canceled sailings and 11 additional ‘ad hoc’ or unscheduled ship calls helped drive both imports and exports higher than recent months but still short of last July’s all-time record.

July loaded imports decreased 4.3% to 456,029 TEUs compared to the previous year. Loaded exports dropped 21.7% to 126,354 TEUs. Empty containers declined 0.1% to 274,007 TEUs. In total, July volumes totaled 856,389 TEUs.

Seven months into 2020, overall volumes are 4,618,278, a decline of 15.3% compared to 2019.