Port of Long Beach blames coronavirus for 17.9% drop in imports

Fewer ship calls in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic as well as lingering effects from the United States’ trade war with China resulted in a 17.9% year-over-year drop in imports at the Port of Long Beach in February.

The port noted that although the United States and China signed a Phase One trade agreement in January, about $370 billion in Chinese goods remain under increased tariffs. The coronavirus has further disrupted the supply chain, with an increase in canceled sailings and a reduction in cargo moving through the nation’s second-busiest port.

The port reported terminal operators and dockworkers moved 538,428 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, down 9.8% compared to February 2019. Imports dropped 17.9% to 248,592 TEUs, while exports increased 19.3% to 125,559 TEUs. Empty containers sent overseas decreased 12.8% to 164,277 TEUs.

“With the extended factory closures and slowdown of goods movement in China and other Asian countries in February due to Lunar New Year and COVID-19, we are seeing shipping lines needing to cancel some sailings,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, in a statement. “Once the virus is contained, we may see a surge of cargo, and our terminals, labor and supply chain will be ready to handle it.”