Long Beach achieves second-busiest year in history

CALIFORNIA : The Port of Long Beach (POLB) has achieved its second-busiest year on record in 2022, moving 9.13 million TEUs, a 2.7% decrease from 2021, which was the port’s busiest year in its 112-year history.

In particular, imports fell 4.9% year-on-year to 4,358,789 TEUs, while exports fell 1.6% to 1,414,882 TEUs.

“In 2023, we will continue to invest in digital and physical infrastructure projects, focus on market share and develop long-term improvements that will strengthen our competitiveness and keep goods moving efficiently,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach.

Despite the container dip, the Port of Long Beach remained the leading export port for a second consecutive year in the United States, for loaded TEUs. Additionally, empty containers processed through the Californian port remained relatively steady (-0.14%), compared with the last year, with 3,359,986 TEUs.

POLB said a surge in online sales and strong attempts to get long-term cargo off the docks boosted trade through the port in the first half of 2022, with monthly cargo records set in January, February, March, April, June, and July.

Long Beach saw a significant year-on-year decline of 27.9% in December reporting 544,104 TEUs.

“Despite the challenges of the last two years, we have focused on longtime customer relationships and invested in projects that put us closer to a zero-emissions future,” stated Sharon L. Weissman, President of Long Beach Harbor Commission.

According to the port’s announcement, consumer purchasing slowed in the summer owing to rising inflationary costs, while vessel transfers between San Pedro Bay ports and a shift in imported commodities toward the Gulf and East coastlines contributed to a softening of cargo volume in the second half of 2022.