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Cargo Statistics: Long Beach, U.S. Seaway System, Virginia

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Containerized cargo continued its upward trend at the Port of Long Beach in November, with volume rising 2.5 percent from a year ago to 569,599 TEUs, thanks to solid gains for both imports (+6.5 percent) and exports (+9.9 percent). The St. Lawrence Seaway reported that year-to-date total cargo shipments for the period March 22 to November 30 were 33 million metric tons, down 6 percent over the same period in 2012. The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) reports container volumes its Hampton Roads marine terminals reached 192,918 TEUs in November, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,042,442 TEUs – a 6.4 percent increase compared to the corresponding 11-month period of 2012.

Long Beach Import and Export Container Cargo Climbs

Containerized cargo continued its upward trend at the Port of Long Beach in November, with volume rising 2.5 percent from a year ago to 569,599 TEUs, thanks to solid gains for both imports (+6.5 percent) and exports (+9.9 percent). Empty container traffic dropped 12.7 percent to 121,011 TEUs. For exports, it was the port second best month of 2013. 

For the first 11 months of calendar 2013, cargo container volume is up 12.1 percent – including 14.4 percent more imports, 10.8 percent more exports and 8.6 percent more empties.

Traditionally, August through October is the "peak season" for ocean-borne imports, as retailers stock up for the end-of-the-year holidays approach. The November imports are among the first products destined for store shelves in the new year. Click here for the port’s latest monthly numbers.

U.S. Seaway System Ports Report Brisk November Trade

While the 2013 shipping season saw overall fluctuating cargo figures, U.S. ports on the Great Lakes continue to outperform initial projections. 

The St. Lawrence Seaway reported that year-to-date total cargo shipments for the period March 22 to November 30 were 33 million metric tons, down 6 percent over the same period in 2012. 

"The shipping industry in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System relied heavily on our terminal operators and longshoremen this month as they loaded and unloaded ships full of steel, grain, iron ore, coal and general cargo," said Rebecca Spruill, director of trade development at the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. "That’s just a few of the cargoes that moved across our U.S. docks in a safe, efficient and very timely manner."  

The 2013 shipping season has been a good one at the Port of Toledo. Through November the port recorded increases in all major cargo categories except iron ore. General cargo shipments at Midwest Terminals of Toledo are more than double the volume handled in 2012, with aluminum, project cargo, and the resurgence of steel coils handling leading the way.  

"We are just beginning to reap the rewards from the investments made in improving our infrastructure and material handling capability," said Joe Cappel, PPM®, the Toledo port authority’s director of cargo development. "With the addition of the new Ironville Terminal next year, we expect to continue to see growth in tonnage and types of commodities handled in our network of facilities. The Toledo Shipyard also had a successful November which included the dry docking of the car ferry Jimaan and the first of two Algoma tankers."

In November, back-to-back shipments of inbound pig iron along with a robust grain export program boosted Toledo’s overseas cargo by nearly 17 percent over 2012. Grain shipments  alone were up 8 percent compared to 2012.  

"There were very active grain shipments from Toledo in the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily soybeans, and in parallel with other port ranges including the Gulf and Pacific Northwest. Record weekly and monthly shipments of U.S. soybeans, primarily to Chinese destinations, drove the volumes," said Jim McKinstray, vice president central merchandising and transportation for The Andersons, operator of the Toledo export grain elevator.   

The Port of Milwaukee is also wrapping up a strong year. Raw materials for use in regional industries have kept port cargo numbers up. Overall tonnage for the year shows a large increase driven by substantial dry bulk quantities. Salt, primarily used for street deicing, saw the largest jump in cargo volume in 2013. Through November, the port handled 1.3 million tons of salt – more than twice the amount handled in 2012.

"Through the month of November, cargo volume reflects better manufacturing activity in the region served by the Port of Milwaukee," Acting Port Director Paul Vornholt said. "Infrastructure investments at the port continue to improve the customer experience, and we hope that is a factor in maintaining and growing our traffic in the coming years."

U.S. grain has been a consistent bright spot throughout the shipping season. In November, 1.4 million metric tons of U.S. grain moved through the system, a 17 percent increase year-to-date over 2012. The November data also show liquid bulks up 11 percent and declines of 7 percent and 1 percent, respectively for iron ore and coal shipments.

Virginia Port Expecting 6 Percent Growth in 2013; November Count Exceeds 192,000 TEUs 

The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) reports container volumes its Hampton Roads marine terminals reached 192,918 TEUs in November. That brought the year-to-date total to 2,042,442 TEUs and a 6.4 percent increase compared to the corresponding 11-month period of 2012. 

"It has been an exceptionally busy year in almost all facets of our operation," said Rodney W. Oliver, PPM®, the VPA’s interim executive director. "We’re 122,305 TEUs ahead of where we were at this time last year, so Virginia is looking at another very solid performance." 

November’s volume was down 2.9 percent from a year ago. However, nearly 7 percent (or 13,860 TEUs) of the November 2012 total was diverted to Virginia from the Port of New York and New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy. 

"The Sandy diversions gave us great numbers last November," Mr. Oliver said. "But if you back out the diverted cargo from last November’s totals, this November would have been ahead of last year by 4.5 percent." 

On a calendar-year basis, the port's rail volume is 12.8 percent ahead of the same period in 2012. The port has experienced year-on-year double double-digit rail traffic growth, in 12 of the last 13 months. 
 

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