POLB's quick start to the financial year with an increase of 19.4 per cent over the first quarter of 2017, the Port's busiest year ever. The previous first quarter record was set in 2007, reports American Journal of Transportation.

 

　　Throughput in March reached 575,258 TEU, an increase of 13.8 per cent compared to the same month last year.

 

　　POLB executive director, Mario Cordero, said: "Our March cargo jumped despite the shipping slowdown during the Lunar New Year holiday in China. One of the most encouraging signs throughout this surge in cargo last year and this year is the operational efficiency at our marine terminals. We are handling record levels of cargo with no delays."

 

　　Dockworkers moved 267,824 import TEU in March, 7.3 per cent more than a year ago. Exports grew 18.3 per cent to 142,419 TEU. The large number of imported goods demanded by American consumers meant container ships hauled 165,015 empty TEU overseas to be refilled.

 

　　Harbour Commission president, Lou Anne Bynum, commented: "Our business development trips are bringing us more trade activity. We see favourable responses during our visits with our overseas partners. We're pleased to be off to a great start in 2018 following a successful 2017 for us and our industry partners."

 

　　Since the beginning of the fiscal year, the port has handled a total of 3.9 million TEU, compared to 3.3 million TEU in the previous period - representing a surge of 19.1 per cent.

 

(Source:shippingazette)