Port of Long Beach reports busiest February on record

The Port of Long Beach has announced that it has had its busiest February on record, with E-commerce as a result of the pandemic driving cargo volumes from China to “unseasonable” levels.

Dockworkers and terminal operators at the port moved 771,735 twenty-foot equivalent units last month, a 43.3% increase on the same month in 2020, making it the largest year-over-year increase for a single month in the port’s 110-year history.

The port also handled more than 700,000 TEUs in February, exceeding its previous record by 109,945 TEUs. Mario Cordero, Executive Director said:

“The supply chain workforce is giving its all to keep the cargo moving, even as their ranks are hit by the pandemic. New records are being set, demonstrating how busy they have been…

“We understand that shippers are awaiting their cargo, and we are collaborating with our industry partners to deliver shipments as quickly as possible.”

Activity at the port typically slows in February as east Asian factories close for two weeks to celebrate the Lunar New Year, but workers in China have worked overtime and through the holidays to clear backorders.