Port Traffic Metrics: Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Oakland, Virginia

Second-Best June Ever at Port of Long Beach

Port of Long Beach reports container traffic this June increased 8.9 percent from a year ago, to 658,727 TEUs. That gave the port its second-best June ever and wrapped up a quarter with volume up 8.3 percent compared to April-June 2016.

"Our customers know we work hard to efficiently deliver their cargo," said Port Executive Director Mario Cordero. "It's good to see this evidence of their confidence in our port — we are committed to providing the absolute best service in the country."

In detail, the June data show gains from last June 2016 of 7 percent for inbound loads, 26.8 percent for empty containers, and a 7.7 percent decline for outbound loads. First half 2017 throughput was up 5.1 percent to almost 3.5 million TEUs.  

"These are good results as we move into the busiest trade months of the year," said Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. "The U.S. dollar remains strong and retailers are stocking back-to-school merchandise and other goods American consumers are purchasing."

New York/New Jersey: May Container Count Sets Record

2017 is shaping up as a record container traffic year for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. May throughput rose 6.7 percent to 565,062 TEUS (325,373 lifts). That set a May record and gave the port its fifth highest monthly TEU count ever.

The May numbers reflect increases from last year of 4.8 percent for import loads, 2.8 percent for exports, and 13.2 percent for empty containers. Year-to-date volume, 2,645,069 TEUs (1,520,939 lifts), beat the 2016 total by 4.9 percent and set a record for that five-month period.

Port of Oakland – Record June for Imports

June was a record setter for container imports at the Port of Oakland. This June’s 80,253 TEUs was up 5.1 percent from a year ago, and broke the previous June record, 78,3265 TEUs in 2006.

 "As we near autumn, retailers begin stocking up for the holidays," said Maritime Director John Driscoll. "Healthy volumes now might be a preview of what we can expect for peak season."

The other June data show year/on/year gains of 2.4 percent for exports, 9.7 percent for empty containers, 5.1 percent overall (to 204,255 TEUs). Throughput through June rose 2.6 percent to 1,182,730 TEUs, a record first half total for the Port of Oakland. Click here to learn more.

Virginia: Record 2.7 Million TEUs in FY2017

The Port of Virginia® reports container traffic at its Hampton Roads Terminals totaled 231,675 TEUs in June, an increase from last year of 7 percent and a record June total. On that note, the port completed its 2016-17 fiscal year with container throughput at an all-time high of 2,762,407 TEUs.

This growth comes as the port is expanding capacity at its two primary container terminals: Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) and Virginia International Gateway (VIG). The port is investing $320 million to double container capacity at VIG and $350 million to renovate the south container yard at NIT. In June, the port opened a 26-lane, North Gate at NIT, a $42 million investment that will increase the throughput of trucks.

"We finished fiscal year 2017 with a solid volume increase and thus marked our fourth consecutive fiscal year of volume growth," said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. "We grew in the right areas, we moved a record-amount of volume across all modes of transportation, train, barge and truck – and did so safely -- and we continue to improve our service levels. The $670 million we are investing to expand the capabilities and capacity at The Port of Virginia are aimed at sustaining this trend into the next several decades."

View detailed cargo traffic data for June and this full fiscal year.