Port of Long Beach reported higher trade volumes in November, boosted by holiday shopping demand.

The port in the San Pedro Bay area said it handled 731,033 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, a 24.2% increase from November 2022.

Imports rose 37% to 355,339 TEUs, and exports declined 13% to 108,798 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the Port were up 30.6% to 266,896 TEUs.

[Container trade in TEUs for November 2023. Source: Port of Long Beach]

In a statement, Port of Long Beach said shippers continued to reposition cargo back to West Coast seaports in November, lifting trade for a third consecutive month at the Port of Long Beach.

"We are recapturing market share, online shopping is on the rise, and retailers are keeping the shelves stocked to meet rising consumer demand for the holidays," said Mario Cordero, CEO at the Port of Long Beach.

"We remain optimistic as cargo returns to this critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade," he added.

The Port has moved 7,308,848 TEUs during the first 11 months of 2023, down 14.9% from the same period last year.

 [Container trade in TEUs Year-to-Date. Source: Port of Long Beach]

Cargo flows this year have been approximately on pace with pre-pandemic levels, when the Port of Long Beach moved more than 6.96 million TEUs through November 2019. 

"We appreciate the outstanding work of our waterfront workforce and terminal operators who are moving goods to ensure consumers are able to purchase gifts during the holiday season," said Bobby Olvera Jr., president of the Long Beach Harbor Commission.

"We plan to continue delivering top-notch customer service and building for a sustainable future into the new year," he added.