The US Port of Long Beach handled 8.7 percent more volumes in January 2017 than a year earlier, driven by renewed activity at its largest terminal and extra ships calling ahead of the Lunar New Year.
The port’s dockworkers moved a total of 582,689 TEUs during the month, as exports surged by 10.8 percent year-over-year to 118,234 containers, while imports increased 7.4 percent to 298,990 TEUs. The port said that empties sent back to the Far East also rose 9.6 percent to 165,465.
Growth at terminals was led by the port’s Pier T terminal, controlled by Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping (MSC), after TIL purchased a majority stake in the terminal following the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping last year.
“It was a tough benchmark, so we’re very happy with the way the new year is starting in Long Beach,” Lori Ann Guzmán, Board of Harbor Commissioners President, said.
Guzmán added that the port will be laser-focused on furthering its new partnership with MSC and “continuing to provide efficient and rapid service.”
With new alliances beginning this spring, the Port of Long beach expects that 2017 will be a transition year for the industry.
With 175 shipping lines connecting Long Beach to 217 seaports, the port handles USD 180 billion in trade annually.
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