Container trade volume at the Port of Long Beach dipped in August compared to the same period a year ago, reflecting a general weakness in the economy. Imports were down 14.2 percent from August of last year, and exports were down 3.8 percent.
Port terminals handled 535,929 20-foot equivalent container units last month compared to 611,002 TEUs in August 2010 when the port reached a peak for imports containers since November 2007. Overall, August container traffic was down 12.3 percent compared to the same period a year ago.
After experiencing record gains in 2010 and continued growth in the earlier part of the year, trade volumes have declined at the port as importers and retailers take a more cautious approach going into the holiday season. Calendar year to date, imports are up 1.8 percent, and exports are up 2.6 percent.
For August, import containers accounted for 267,198 TEUs compared to 311,240 TEUs in the same period last year. Export containers hit 121,277 TEUs compared to 126,039 TEUs in August 2010. Empty container moves were down 15.1 percent to 147,454 TEUs; most empty containers are bound overseas.
