Imports drive record month at Port of Long Beach

September marked the busiest month ever at the Port of Long Beach, capping off the most active quarter in the US West Coast hub’s 109-year history, bolstered by a double-digit rise in imports.

The port handled 795,580 teu in September, representing an increase of 13%, while 2.27m teu was handled over the third quarter of the year, as volumes surged by 14%.

Imports grew 14% last month to 405,618 teu compared to September 2019, while exports decreased 9% to 112,556 teu. Empty containers headed back overseas jumped 21% to 277,406 teu.