The Port of Long Beach saw a modest start to the traditional "peak" shipping season as warehouses remained overstocked and consumers continued to pivot toward travel and other summertime activities.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 682,312 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, a 15.4% decline from August 2022.

August's cargo volumes were, however, higher than the 578,249 TEUs recorded the month prior in July, signalling continued volume recovery in one of the Northern Hemisphere's busiest ports.

For the month, Port of Long Beach said imports decreased 15.4% to 325,436 TEUs, while exports were down 23.1% to 93,402 TEUs.

Empty containers moving through the Port declined 12.5% to 263,474 TEUs.

August container trade in TEUs at the Port of Long Beach

[Source: Port of Long Beach]

Modest peak season expected

"We anticipated a modest peak season as our cargo numbers continue to stabilize at pre-pandemic levels," said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach.

"Over the long term, we are strengthening our competitiveness by investing in digital and physical infrastructure projects that will keep goods moving efficiently for decades to come," he added.

 Container trade in TEUs: Fiscal year to date — August 2023
[Source: Port of Long Beach]

Bobby Olvera Jr., president of the Long Beach Harbor Commission, said the Port of Long Beach is collaborating with its industry partners to grow market share while moving goods reliably and sustainably.

"We intend to close the year on a positive note that focuses on our efforts to improve cargo flow and secure our position as the premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade," he said.

The Port has moved 4,993,237 TEUs during the first eight months of 2023, down 24.4% from the same period last year.

Cargo flows this year have been on pace with pre-pandemic levels, when the Port of Long Beach moved more than 4.9 million TEUs through August 2019.