Port of Long Beach’s Import Volume Sets Record in Nov.

In a sign that a shortage of cargo vessels caused delays in holiday merchandise shipments this year, the Port of Long Beach, the nation’s busiest, last month took in a record-high volume of inbound cargo for November as U.S. importers scrambled to bring Asian consumer goods across the Pacific, port officials said Wednesday.

November is typically a slower month for imports, with U.S. shippers having received the bulk of their holiday cargo by the end of October.

With more than 91,000 import containers passing over its docks, the Port of Long Beach last month handled 32% more inbound cargo than in November 1997. And while import levels last year fell 14% between October and November, month-over-month inbound cargo this year jumped 7%.

“There were reports of cargo getting bumped throughout the import season because of space, and this may be a case where that cargo is finally making its way here,” said Matt Plezia, trade analyst for the port.

November import levels also remained higher than normal at neighboring Los Angeles Harbor, which earlier this week reported it had taken in 21% more inbound cargo last month than a year ago. Month-over-month levels, however, fell 4% in November, but Al Fierstine, director of business development at the Port of Los Angeles, said the drop is normally more pronounced.

The strength of the U.S. dollar compared with Asian currencies has made goods from the Far East a bargain for U.S. wholesalers.

Like the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach Harbor in November also saw an increase in U.S. exports leaving the facility for the second straight month. Until October, export levels had fallen over six months as consumers in economically troubled Asia bought fewer U.S. goods.

Although export volume in November was down 13% from last year, it grew 9% over October.

Plezia said shipments of domestic cotton made cheaper on the world market because of federal subsidies could account for much of the jump in exports.