Cargo volumes handled in April at the Port of Long Beach eclipsed a record set 13 years ago.

Dockworkers at marine terminals moved 628,121 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April. The previous high was 619,512 TEUs in April 2006. Imports in April 2019 rose 1.8% to 317,883 TEUs compared to last year. Exports decreased 12.7% to 123,804 TEUs, while empties rose 13.5% to 186,435 TEUs. Total container volume was up 1.6% over April 2018.

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said the surge in empties shows the lingering impacts of the rush of imported cargo in fourth quarter 2018 as retailers stocked goods to outrun potential tariffs.

“Ocean carriers have been busy repositioning containers back to Asia after sending so many to North America late last year,” said Cordero. “With peak season approaching, we’re expecting imports to continue to grow, but it’s clear exports are suffering under the weight of tariffs.”

“I commend our supply chain partners for their work in making April so successful,” said Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Tracy Egoscue. “They’re part of a vital link in the world economy. This trade gateway moves $1 billion in goods each day. Trade at the Port of Long Beach is connected to more than 576,000 jobs in the Southern California and 2.6 million in the United States.”

Four months into 2019, the Port of Long Beach has handled more than 2.4 million TEUs, 3.1% off last year’s pace.

The latest monthly cargo numbers are here.

For more detailed cargo numbers, visit www.polb.com/stats.