Long Beach traffic down in March

Container throughput at the Port of Long Beach dropped 1.9% year-on-year in March, with imports essentially flat; the month also saw some shipping lines suspend services or switch to the Port of Los Angeles.

The harsh winter in the Midwest and East Coast is one factor being blamed for the slump, as residents in the harder hit areas were hampered in their attempts to consume goods and services.

A total of 477,209 teus moved through the port during March. Imports numbered 223,432 teu, down 0.7% from 2013. Exports fell 1.5% to 153,883 teu. Empty containers were down 5.4% percent to 99,894 teu.