Long Beach : Port Cargo Increases 7%

Cargo handled at the Port of Long Beach, the West Coast’s largest, increased 7% last fiscal year to about 57 million metric tons, the port has announced. Imports accounted for nearly 40 million tons and exports about 17 million during the 12 months ended June 30, according to the port.

While total cargo continued its sharp two-decade climb, the number of ships calling at the port dropped from 4,652 to 4,559 from the previous fiscal year. The average size of each ship has increased.

The port moved about 25 million metric tons of general cargo, about four-fifths of it in 1.28 million 20-foot steel shipping containers, during 1985-86. It also handled about 26 million metric tons of petroleum, most of it from Alaska’s North Slope.