Shifting shipment patterns, full warehouses factor into a decline in imports while exports increase to maintain its status as the nation’s leading export port

Trade moving through the Port of Long Beach softened in November amid reduced orders from retailers, full warehouses, vessel transfers between the San Pedro Bay ports and goods shifted toward seaports along the East and Gulf coasts.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 588,742 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, down 21% from November 2021. Imports slid 28.4% to 259,442 TEUs, while exports increased 13.8% to 124,988 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the Port decreased by 25.2% to 204,313 TEUs.

“While some import volume has shifted to other gateways, we are confident that a good portion of it will return to the San Pedro Bay,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “As we move toward normalization of the supply chain, it’s time to refocus our efforts on engaging in sustainable and transformative operations that will secure our place as a leader in trans-Pacific trade.”

“We appreciate the exceptional work of the dockworkers who moved containers off the docks and helped us speed the flow of cargo during an unprecedented surge over the last two years,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman. “Their hard work ensures shelves are stocked and consumers can purchase gifts during the holiday season.”

Long-dwelling containers at the San Pedro Bay port complex have been reduced by more than 90% since the end of October 2021, when the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles initiated a Congestion Dwell Fee. Although the fee has not been assessed, it has incentivized shippers to remove long-dwelling import containers from terminals.

Economists say spending is stronger heading into the end of the year as consumers pivot away from dining out, live entertainment, and other services toward purchasing goods for the holiday season.

The Port of Long Beach has moved 8,589,553 TEUs during the first 11 months of 2022, down 0.5% from the same period in 2021, which was the Port’s strongest year on record. The Port of Long Beach is the nation’s leading export port, with 1.44 million TEUs of loaded exports in 2021, and nearly 1.3 million TEUs through the first 11 months of 2022.

For complete cargo numbers, visit polb.com/statistics.