Long Beach port's volume reached six-year high in August

The Port of Long Beach, Calif., in August registered 630,292 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 16 percent increase compared with August 2012 and the highest cargo total since October 2007.

Imports climbed 19.2 percent to 327,817 TEUs and exports jumped 20.2 percent to 154,118 TEUs, marking a strong start to the peak season from August through October, when retailers boost inventories to prepare for holiday shopping. Empty container volume rose 5.8 percent to 148,357 TEUs.

Through 2013's first eight months, the port's total cargo increased 13.6 percent to 4,414,916 TEUs, imports soared 16.2 percent to 2,261,000 TEUs, exports climbed 10.9 percent to 1,128,699 TEUs and empties rose 11 percent to 1,025,217 TEUs.

Meanwhile, the Port of Los Angeles in August logged 709,676 TEUs, up 0.4 percent compared with August 2012 volume. Imports dipped 1.4 percent to 355,683 TEUs, exports fell 3.8 percent to 158,484 TEUs, total loaded container volume declined 2.2 percent to 514,167 TEUs and empties increased 8 percent to 195,508 TEUs.

Through eight months, the port's total volume decreased 5.6 percent to 5,136,275 TEUs compared with the same 2012 period.