Port of Long Beach sees lower volume in October

Container trade volume at the Port of Long Beach dropped 20.5 percent in October compared to the same period a year ago. Imports were down 20.8 percent, and exports dipped 21.4 percent.

Port terminals handled 487,665 twenty-foot equivalent container units last month, compared to 613,621 TEU in October 2010. This was the largest percentage drop so far this year compared to the same period a year ago, and it represents the fourth straight month of decline.

A portion of the decline in traffic was attributable to the departure of California United Terminals, which vacated one of the Port's seven container terminals last year. CUT accounted for roughly a tenth of the Port's overall container traffic.

After experiencing record gains in 2010 and continued growth in the earlier part of the year, imports are down 2% and exports are down 1% for the calendar year to date. Despite signs that consumer demand is rebounding across the US, retailers appear to have taken a cautious approach for the upcoming holiday season.

For October, import containers accounted for 240,248 TEU compared to 303,168 TEU in the same period last year. Export containers hit 118,325 TEU compared to 150,581 TEU in October 2010. Empty container moves also were down. The Port moved 129,092 TEU of empty containers in October, down 19.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Most empty containers are bound overseas. < Korea Shipping Gazette >