Long Beach container volume up 11 percent in January

Despite the departure of one of its tenants in late 2010, the Port of Long Beach continued to post strong trade numbers into 2011 with a 10.8 percent increase in cargo container volume in January compared to the same period a year ago. Overall, the Port moved 474,960 TEU last month compared to 428,805 TEU in January 2010.

Imports were up 11.3 percent to 242,444 TEU, and exports were up 12.7 percent to 127,546 TEU. Empty container moves were up 7.4 percent to 104,970 TEU. Empty containers are mostly bound overseas for refilling.

The increase came despite the departure of California United Terminals in December. CUT accounted for about 10 percent of all Port of Long Beach's volume. In 2010, the Port of Long Beach posted the biggest container cargo gains of any port in the U.S.