The Port of Long Beach in May reached its strongest month so far in 2023, raising mid-year hopes of a trend of increasing volume.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 758,225 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, down 14.9% from May 2022.

The port said imports decreased by 17.2% to 361,661 TEUs, and exports increased by 8.1% to 127,870 TEUs.

Meanwhile, empty containers moved through the Port declined 20% to 268,695 TEUs.

Port of Long Beach said cargo throughput in May was up 15.6% from April, which was 8.6% more than in March.

Although trade declined 14.9% for May year-over-year, cargo moved through the Port was down 20.1% year-over-year in April and 30% in March.

Signs of cargo volume upswing

"At mid-year, we're starting to see signs that cargo volume is on the upswing, with our busiest month since August of last year," said Mario Cordero, chief executive officer at Port of Long Beach.

"We look forward to more positive signs in the months ahead," he added.

Sharon L. Weissman, harbour commission president at Long Beach Harbor Commission, said over the long term, the San Pedro Bay ports complex would continue to be a strategic and sustainable gateway for trans-Pacific trade.

"We will work with our industry partners to recapture and grow market share in this increasingly competitive environment," he added.

The Port has moved 3,135,600 TEUs during the first five months of 2023, a 24.8% decrease from the same period in 2022.

Loaded imports are down 28% to 1,472,626 TEUs, while loaded exports are up 0.9% to 600,586 TEUs.

The Port handles trade valued at US$200 billion annually.

During the next 10 years, the Port is planning US$2.2 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.