Port of Long Beach container throughput up 9.7 percent in April 2014

Cargo numbers for containers at the Port of Long Beach were up in April by 9.7 percent overall, compared to the same month one year ago, the company said in its press release.
 
Following a slow March due to the harsh winter in other parts of the country, April container volumes rebounded as weather patterns and shopping patterns returned to normal.
 
A total of 569,843 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) moved through the Port of Long Beach during April. Imports numbered 295,712 TEUs, up 11.9 percent from 2013. Exports jumped 6.3 percent to 146,498 TEUs. Empty containers were up 8.8 percent to 127,633 TEUs. Following a weak first quarter here, overall volume for the first four months of 2014 is up just 1 percent compared to the same period last year.
 
Last year, against which 2014 is being compared, was the third-busiest year in Port history with a total of 6.73 million TEUs.
 
The Port of Long Beach continues to invest long term and is three years into a decade-long, $4 billion program to modernize its facilities.