Port of Long Beach reports record January

The Southern California seaport handled 657,830 TEUs of containers in January, 12.9 percent more than in January 2017, and an all-time high for the month.    The Port of Long Beach handled 657,830 TEUs of containers in January, 12.9 percent more than in January 2017, and an all-time high for the month, the Southern California port reported.
   “The pre-Lunar New Year surge is definitely here,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero, taking note of the upcoming two-week holiday period in Asia, the port’s primary trading partner. “Since this year’s holiday begins Feb. 16, we anticipated a busy January and February, as cargo owners seek to get goods shipped ahead of the festivities.”
   Compared to January 2017:
     • Imports rose 8.6 percent to a record 324,656 TEUs;
     • Exports inched up 1.9 percent to 120,503 TEUs;
     • And empty containers skyrocketed 28.5 percent to 212,671 TEUs.