Excerpts from the Long Beach Business Journal:
For the past year, cargo volumes at the Port of Long Beach have been record-setting. Month after Month, the port was processing more containers than ever before in its 110-year history. The volumes, coupled with a shortage in containers, chassis, rail cars and other supply chain issues, caused a backlog of vessels.
Despite the loss or reduction of some freight, the San Pedro Bay ports have been the first choice for many shippers since they are the most direct route from the Asia markets, according to a spokeswoman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. While Levi and others may have pulled back on their LA and Long Beach freight, the ports have actually gained market share over the past year, she said.
ILWU Coast Committeeman Frank Ponce De Leon said the union workers stepped up every day during the pandemic and continue to ensure the continued flow of cargo into West Coast ports as fast as possible despite the shortages within the supply chain.
“Not only did we work day and night while taking steps to protect ourselves from COVID-19, but we broke all-time cargo-handling records for several months in a row,” Ponce de Leon said in an email. “We are proud of ILWU workers’ hard work in difficult times to get American consumers, health care professionals and grocery stores the goods they needed to get through the pandemic.”