Optimism returns to Long Beach, busy peak seasson expected in 2012

2012 04 03


SOUTHERN California shipping executives say they are optimistic they will have an improved peak season at the Port of Long Beach this year.

Speaking at the Port of Long Beach's "Pulse of the Ports: Peak Season Forecast," its annual industry forecast event attended by 400 people at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown, the executives were optimistic, reported the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Ninety-five per cent of Ocean & Cargo Management Services customers believe volumes in the west coast ports will either stay the same or increase, said company vice president Daniel Wall.

Better sales from consumers coming back to the job market and looser credit to open more stores as well as labour disputes on the east coast may combine to mean more cargo shipments to the west coast, said Mr Wall.

"We're looking at a traditional peak season this year, which is something we haven't seen in a long time," he said.

Said Long Beach Harbour Commission chief Susan Anderson Wise: "Piecing together projections from these different vantage points is what allows us to see the big picture."

Hong Kong's OOCL (USA) president Erxin Yao discussed his soundings among customers for the coming season.

Mr Yao whose company recently agreed to a 40-year lease with the Port of Long Beach in the future Middle Harbour, spoke of the "mega trend" of larger carriers.

About half of the ships are now able to carry 5,000 TEU and 10 per cent of the ships are more than 10,000 TEU, he said.

"But if you look at our order book, almost half of the ships being built will be 10,000 TEU or more," he said. "And that will be the trend of the future."

Long Beach port executive director Christopher Lytle recalled the talk of the 12,500-TEU MSC Fabiola docking at Long Beach a few weeks ago. "That was a significant event. The question of future competitiveness comes down to which ports could handle the biggest ships the most effective way. And with the Fabiola, we proved that Long Beach is ready," Mr Lytle said.

"We're well positioned to bring. more trade, more business, more jobs and more revenue to the port. With the help of many stakeholders, we're moving quickly to do just that," he said.

Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
 

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