Container trade volume at the Port of Long Beach dipped in September compared to the same period a year ago, reflecting a weak peak season for 2011, the port said Wednesday, Oct. 19. Imports were down 8.9 percent, and exports were down 4.7 percent.
Port terminals handled 527,175 20-foot equivalent container units last month compared to 574,790 TEUs in September 2010. Overall, September container traffic was down 8.3 percent.
After experiencing record gains in 2010 and continued growth in the earlier part of the year, trade volumes have declined for three straight months at the port as retailers appear to be taking a more cautious approach for the upcoming holiday season. Calendar year to date, imports are up 0.4 percent, and exports are up 1.8 percent.
For September, import containers accounted for 263,214 TEUs compared to 288,905 TEUs in the same period last year. Export containers hit 118,214 TEUs compared to 124,021 TEUs. Empty container moves were down 10 percent to 145,747 TEUs; most empty containers are bound overseas.
