LONG BEACH CONTAINER TRAFFIC UP 5% IN AUGUST

LONG BEACH CONTAINER TRAFFIC UP 5% IN AUGUST    Imports climbed and exports fell as the total number of cargo containers shipped through the Port of Long Beach rose to 427,235 container units in August, based on a preliminary report.
   Total moves in August increased 5.3 percent over August 2001.
   With importers beginning to stock up for the end-of-the-year holiday season, the number of inbound containers rose 5.9 percent to 234,592 TEUs.
   The port’s leading imports include such products as Asia-made clothing, toys, shoes, handbags and consumer electronics.
   Exports dropped for a third-consecutive month, down 14.7 percent to 71,085 TEUs.
   With fewer exports being shipped overseas, the number of empty containers, most all headed back to Asia, jumped 20.3 percent to 121,558 TEUs.