The Port of Long Beach Closes Record Year

The Port of Long Beach pulled off another record-breaking year, bringing in a total of 8.1 million TEUs. The achievement was a particularly impressive feat considering that cargo volumes slowed substantially in the second half of the year, illustrating the strength of cargo in the beginning of the year. The announcement was made at the annual State of the Port address this week in Long Beach. This is the first time in the port’s history that cargo volumes have surpassed 8.1 million TEUs.

“The Port of Long Beach is a major gateway for the trans-pacific trade,” Mario Cordero, executive director at the Port of Long Beach, said at the annual address at the event. “Nearly 70% of our import containers come from China and 40% of our exports go there. With this trade dynamic, we have moved the highest trade container total ever in our history. We moved 8.1 million TEUs. Nationally, ports average a 5% gain. Our container cargo total was up 7%, topping the record that we set just last year.”

While cargo volumes slowed in the second half of the year, imports actually surged at the end of the year. As a result, December was one of the most active months in the port’s history. “Although exports slowed in the second half of the year, we finished 2018 with a jump in imports,” said Cordero. “Retailers expedited shipments due to the uncertain trade outlook for this year. The surge made December the second largest busiest month in our 108-year history.”

In his address, Cordero attributed the successful year to the port’s business strategy and “quest for excellence.” He noted several examples of operational efficiencies that contributed to the increase in cargo volumes. “We are on a quest for operation excellence,” Cordero said. “Our Pier A terminal worked more container ships than any other terminal in Long Beach. In December, the Long Beach container terminal welcomed its largest vessel ever, the 13000 TEU OOCL Malaysia. Last week, Matson celebrated the arrival of the newest vessel, the Daniel K. Inouye, which is the largest containership ever built in the United States.”

In addition to larger ships coming to the port, cleaner ships are coming as well. “Later this year, Matson is bringing the cleanest container vessel to regularly call at the Port of Long Beach,” added Cordero. “It will be equipped with tier-3 vessel technology, producing 75% less emissions than older vessels.”

While the ships are getting cleaner and bigger, operators are also becoming more efficient. “Two Korean operators moved nearly 600 containers using a single crane in one shift,” said Cordero. “That is a record-breaking 70 moves an hour and nearly triple the average West Coast speed. That is operational excellence.”