Port of Long Beach saw a lull in cargo volumes for September as demand weakened due to persisting high inflation and an overall quieter month for retailers as warehouses remain full. 

Dockworkers and terminal operators at North America's second busiest port moved 741,823 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo containers in September, down 0.9% from September 2021.

In a statement, Port of Long Beach noted that imports decreased 7.4% to 342,671 TEUs, while exports increased 1.9% to 112,940 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the Port rose 7% to 286,212 TEUs.

"Diminishing consumer demand, full warehouses and inflation concerns led to a decline in cargo containers moved through the Port of Long Beach in September," the port at the San Pedro Bay area said.

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said consumers and retailers are concerned about inflation, leading to warehouses filled with inventory and fewer product orders from Asia.

"The respite is leading to increased capacity on the docks and fewer ships waiting off the coast to enter the Port," Cordero added.

Port of Long Beach noted that consumers are growing more cautious with spending as the economy faces persistent inflation and aggressive tightening by the Federal Reserve.

The Port of Long Beach has moved 7,342,383 TEUs during the first nine months of 2022, up 3.5% from the same period in 2021.

Additionally, the Port processed 2,334,605 TEUs between July 1 and Sept. 30, down 0.3% from the third quarter of 2021.

Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman, noted that despite this performance for September, the port is still hoping to close the year on a "positive note" as the gateway focuses on efforts to improve cargo flow while dramatically enhancing air quality.