Ports’ Cargo Flow Slows After October Spike
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach had record-breaking cargo movement in October, the result of early holiday optimism by retailers before the Sept. 11 attacks. But movement in November slowed and a further decline is expected through early 2002.
“All this Christmas stuff was ordered six months ago. That’s why it has stayed strong,” said Jeff Coppersmith, president of Coppersmith Inc., an El Segundo customs broker and freight fowarder.
In October, traditionally a busy month for ports because of holiday merchandise shipments, Los Angeles moved 505,020 cargo containers, a 4.9% jump from the year-ago period. Long Beach shipped through 434,866 containers, a 0.5% increase.
“In August, September and October our numbers were pretty close to what they were last year,” said port spokesman Art Wong. “Retailers were thinking consumers were going to spend something close to what they were spending a year ago. Obviously, that’s changed.”
,Los Angeles Business Journal
