Demand for holiday-related goods nudged the Port of Long Beach to its most active September and busiest quarter on record as shippers continued to move goods ahead of a labour contract deadline for seaports on the East and Gulf coasts, which resulted in a three-day strike at the start of October.

Port of Long Beach moved 829,499 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, up just 70 TEUs from the previous record set in September 2023.

September also marked the port's fourth consecutive monthly year-over-year cargo increase.

For the period, imports increased 2% to 416,999 TEUs, exports declined 12.8% to 88,289 TEUs and empty containers moving through the port rose 1.5% to 324,211 TEUs.

"We have plenty of room across our terminals as the peak shipping season drives a record amount of cargo through this critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade," said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach.

"We are anticipating continued growth through the rest of the year as retailers stock the shelves for the winter holidays," he added.

Long Beach Harbor Commission president Bonnie Lowenthal noted that the port's ability to work with industry and workforce partners allows it to move large volumes of cargo reliably, quickly and sustainably.

"Additionally, we continue to deliver strong customer service to meet the needs of consumers and the national supply chain," Lowenthal added.

Busiest quarter overall

Port of Long Beach has moved 6,917,373 TEUs during the first nine months of 2024, up 18.8% from the same period last year.

"It was also the port's busiest quarter overall, with 2,625,747 TEUs moved between July 1 and September 30, breaking the previous record set during the second quarter of 2022 by 78,628 TEUs," the announcement said.

The Port of Long Beach is one of the US's major gateways for trans-Pacific trade, handling trade valued at US$200 billion annually.

During the next 10 years, the Port is planning US$2.3 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.