Long Beach Exports Flatten as Imports Grow 27 Percent

Imports at the Port of Long Beach in June increased 27 percent while exports increased at a more modest rate of 1.8 percent compared to the same month last year.

June's imports of 262,053 TEUs were down slightly from May's 264,505 TEUs, but Long Beach continued to record strong growth compared to 2009. Imports year-to-date are up 21.7 percent compared to the first six months of 2009.

Exports, which had been increasing at double-digit rates all year, flattened in June. For the first six months of the year, exports increased 16 percent compared to 2009.

By The Numbers: Containerized Ocean Trade - Southern California Ports.

The repositioning of empty containers back to Asia continued at a torrid pace, with Long Beach reporting an increase of almost 53 percent compared to June of 2009.

Total container volume, including imports, exports and empties, was up 25.8 percent in June and 19.8 percent year-to-date.

-- Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com.