Long Beach’s Port Sees US Cargo Demand Starting to Cool

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero expects the pandemic-era surge in US consumer demand that snarled supply chains will start to cool, with evidence of a deceleration starting to show in weaker inbound container arrivals.

The nation’s No. 2 gateway for trade moved 806,940 20-foot container units last month, down 0.1% from August 2021 — which was its busiest August on record. Imports dropped 5.6% and exports gained 1.6%. Through August, Long Beach moved 6.6 million TEUs, a 4% increase from the same eight-month period last year.