SIMIC

The port moved 807,704 TEU last month, an 11.3 per cent year-on-year increase, with imports rising 11.7 per cent to 407,426 TEU and exports decreasing 5.3 per cent to 119,485 TEU. Empties were 19.7 per cent up to 280,794 TEU.

Year-to-date through August, the Long Beach moved 6,346,377 TEU, a 29.2 per cent increase from the same period in 2020.

"It's peak season now, but we're likely to see continued cargo growth well into 2022," said port executive director Mario Cordero. "In order to stay on top of this cargo, ports will need to adapt. We will need to find the long-term solutions that will satisfy consumer demand, increase efficiency at the ports and reduce costs for our customers."

The Port of Long Beach has now broken monthly cargo records in 13 of the last 14 months amid a historic surge that started in July 2020.

The port said cargo was boosted by heightened inventory replacement and the start of the peak shipping season, which traditionally runs from August to October as retailers prepare for the upcoming holiday season.

Although consumer demand softened slightly from a month earlier, overall retail sales in August were 18 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.

"The hard work and dedication of our waterfront workers and industry partners helped us achieve our best August on record at what we expect will be the start of a robust peak shipping season," said Long Beach Harbour Commission President Steven Neal. "Together, we can meet the evolving needs of our customers as the leading gateway for trans-Pacific trade."