The Port of Long Beach marked its busiest September on record as volumes returned to the port with a renewed labor contract in place and shippers geared up for holiday demand.
The San Pedro Bay seaport moved 829,429 twenty-foot equivalent units last month, 11.8% more than it did last year. September was also the first time in 14 months the Port of Long Beach saw overall cargo increase, compared to the previous year, according to the press release.
“Consumer confidence is on the rise and shippers can rely on the Port of Choice now that we have a ratified contract in place with our waterfront workforce,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero.
Ports nationwide have been dealing with lower volumes for well over a year, but some have started to see cargo trends recover in recent months. The Port of Los Angeles, for example, in August saw total volumes increase for the first time in 13 months.
Farmers are in the middle of a banner grain harvest for corn, soybeans and sorghum, raising demand for transportation. However, fewer-than-normal exports are expected to keep freight prices low, according to the USDA.
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are major gateways to Asian markets, largely moving animal feed, soybeans and cereal grains.
