LONG BEACH (CNS) - The Port of Long Beach announced today that last month was its busiest January on record, with 4.8% more 20-foot equivalent units moved compared to the same month in 2021.
The port moved a total of 800,943 units, making it the first time it processed more than 800,000 units during the first month of any year. Imports rose about 7% to 389,334 20-foot equivalent units and exports increased about 6% to 123,060 units. Empty containers also grew, by 1.8%, to 288,550 units.
The record breaking January follows the Port of Long Beach's best year on record, with 9,384,368 20-foot equivalent units moved in 2021.
``Our record-breaking successes rely on the waterfront workers who quickly process goods moving through the Port,'' said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal. ``We anticipate this momentum to continue through 2022, allowing us to remain a leader in trans-Pacific trade.''
The port said that February is typically a slower months because factories in Asia close for Lunar New Year celebrations. However, the port thinks it may remain busier than usual amid the historic cargo surge and crews working to clear the port's docks and reduce the number of ships waiting to enter the port.
``Terminal capacity is finally opening up thanks to support from our federal and state leadership, collaboration with industry partners, and the hard work of the men and women moving record amounts of cargo off the docks,''
Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said.
``We expect to remain moderately busy into the spring as we make significant progress to clear the docks and process the backlog of vessels waiting offshore.''