Long Beach saw container volume Dips 15.2% in February

Container trade volume at the Port of Long Beach dropped 15.2%overall in February compared to the same period a year ago. Imports were down 18.1%, and exports dipped 1.6%.

Port terminals handled 388,589 TEU last month, compared to 458,336 TEU in February 2011.

The drop in imports in February is partly attributable to the early Chinese New Year. Import volumes typically fall following the New Year as factories in Asia close for a week or more during the holidays.

Last year, the New Year fell on February 3 and the slow down was felt in the latter part of the month and into early March. This year, the New Year fell on January 23, putting the entire slow down period in February.

For February, import containers accounted for 191,475 TEU compared to 233,660 TEU in the same period last year. Export containers hit 120,006 TEU compared to 121,929 TEU in February 2011. Empty container moves were down 25 percent to 77,108 TEU compared to 102,747 TEU a year ago. Most empty containers are bound overseas. < Korea Shipping Gazette >