Cargo boosted by holiday shopping demand, rising market share

Shippers continued to reposition cargo back to West Coast seaports in November, lifting trade for a third consecutive month at the Port of Long Beach.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 731,033 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, a 24.2% increase from November 2022. Imports rose 37% to 355,339 TEUs and exports declined 13% to 108,798 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the Port were up 30.6% to 266,896 TEUs.

“We are recapturing market share, online shopping is on the rise and retailers are keeping the shelves stocked to meet rising consumer demand for the holidays,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We remain optimistic as cargo returns to this critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade.”

“We appreciate the outstanding work of our waterfront workforce and terminal operators who are moving goods to ensure consumers are able to purchase gifts during the holiday season,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “We plan to continue delivering top-notch customer service and building for a sustainable future into the new year.”

The Port has moved 7,308,848 TEUs during the first 11 months of 2023, down 14.9% from the same period last year. Cargo flows this year have been approximately on pace with pre-pandemic levels, when the Port of Long Beach moved more than 6.96 million TEUs through November 2019.

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