The Port of Long Beach moved 800,943 teu in January 2022 on the back of strong imports and exports.
The result was a 4.8% increase on the record it set for the month of January in 2021, and the first time it broke the 800,000 teu barrier in January, the port said. The port also broke an annual record for 2021, moving 9.4m teu.
January imports rose 6.9% to 389,334 teu, exports rose 5.9% to 123,060 teu and empty containers rose by 1.8% to 288,550 teu.
“Terminal capacity is finally opening up thanks to support from our federal and state leadership, collaboration with industry partners, and the hard work of the men and women moving record amounts of cargo off the docks,” said Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero.
“We expect to remain moderately busy into the spring as we make significant progress to clear the docks and process the backlog of vessels waiting off shore.”
The port said that a usual slowdown in February import activity may be lessened in 2022 as the port works through a vessel backlog and clearing the docks.
The ports of LA and Long Beach have repeatedly delayed a container dwell fee which was announced in October 2021. The container dwell fee will charge $100 per day for outstaying their welcome at terminals: nine days for boxes moving by truck and six for those moving by rail.
“Still, the San Pedro Bay ports – Long Beach and Los Angeles combined – have seen a 68% decline in aging cargo on the docks since the program was announced on Oct. 25,” Long Beach said in a press release.
Source: Seatrade Maritime News