Port of Long Beach said May was the second-busiest month on record for the port and its strongest month so far in 2022.

In a statement, the major maritime gateway said it processed 890,989 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, a 1.8% decline from May 2021, which remains the Port's busiest month in its 111-year history.

During the period, imports decreased 1.7% to 436,977 TEUs and exports were down 12.6% to 118,234 TEUs.

The port said empty containers moved through the Port increased 2.6% to 335,778 TEUs.

"We are moving an extraordinary amount of cargo and continue to work with industry partners to quickly move imports and empties off the docks," said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.

"Looking ahead, we are ready for the traditional summertime surge to coincide with China’s recovery from a lengthy lockdown," Cordero added.

Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal for his part acknowledged the hard work of dockworkers in maintaining the flow at the port.

"We are collaborating with federal, state, local, and industry stakeholders to find long-term solutions that will satisfy consumer demand and increase efficiency at the port," Neal said.

Cargo influx seen

Port of Long Beach already earlier withheld the start of a "Container Dwell Fee" that would charge ocean carriers for containers that remain too long on the docks.

The San Pedro Bay ports – Long Beach and Los Angeles – have seen a 40% decline in aging cargo on the docks since the program was announced on Oct. 25.

"A cargo influx is anticipated as pandemic-induced shutdowns are lifted in China. Strong income gains and a large savings cushion are anticipated to support consumer spending this year, despite the ongoing risks of inflation, the war in Ukraine, and the recent lockdown in China," Port of Long Beach said in its report.

The Port has moved 4,172,366 TEUs during the first five months of 2022, a 3.5% increase from the same period in 2021.