Long Beach cargo volume increases in May

Container cargo rose by more than 17% in May at the Port of Long Beach, with some of the highest volumes in nearly three years. A total of 583,588 TEU were moved in May, up 17.2% from the same month last year.

Imports increased 22.2% to 305,498 TEU. Exports were up by 13.9% to 147,073 TEU. Empty containers were up 10.2% to 131,017 TEU. With imports exceeding exports, empties are sent overseas to be refilled with goods. Import volumes are the highest since August 2010, and overall and export volumes are the highest since October 2010.

For the first five months of 2013, cargo container volume is up 17.2% - including 19.3% more imports, 12.2% more exports and 18.9% more empties. These increases are in part due to the larger ships calling at the port more frequently and the addition of service lines starting in the last part of 2012. < Korea Shipping Gazette >