“We are monitoring the development of new trade policies and the impact on our longshore workers and others throughout the supply chain,” said Bonnie Lowenthal, president of the Long Beach Port Commission, regarding the reported decline in May.

In the fifth month of the year, imports fell 13.4% to 299,116 TEUs, the port reported in a statement.

Exports also showed a downward trend, with 82,149 TEUs moved , which meant an 18.6% annual decrease, while empty containers circulating through the port increased to 257,895 TEUs, 3.2% more compared to May 2024.

Despite the negative figures for the fifth month of 2025, Port of Long Beach officials expect that a temporary pause in tariffs “will likely trigger an increase in cargo by the end of June.”

“We remain cautiously optimistic that import cargo will rebound in late June and July, just in time for peak shipping season, when retailers stock shelves with back-to-school supplies and begin preparations for winter break,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.

In the January-May 2025 period, the port handled 4,042,228 TEUs , representing a 17.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Cordero noted that although commercial uncertainty persists, investments in port infrastructure continue. “While uncertainty persists for the business sector, the Port of Long Beach continues to invest in rail and terminal improvements to move cargo efficiently, safely, and sustainably,” he said.

As the United States’ primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the port handles more than $300 billion in annual trade and supports 2.7 million American jobs, including 691,000 in Southern California.

Over the next 10 years, the port plans $3.2 billion in capital improvements , which will be used to increase capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability.

In terms of sustainability, the port, which was named by industry leaders as “The Best Seaport on the West Coast of North America” for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, celebrates in 2025 the 20th anniversary of the Green Ports Policy , which has led to programs to improve air and water quality, protect marine wildlife, and implement sustainable practices.

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El cargo Tariffs hit cargo movement at the Port of Long Beach in May apareció primero en T21.

On May 11, the company added this equipment to facilitate its operation. These include two QC-type gantry cranes, also known as STS (Ship-to-Shore) cranes , considered the largest in the Americas, as well as four RTG cranes .

“These cranes, which were added to those acquired last year, mark a crucial step toward the goal of increasing Mexico’s international competitiveness and consolidating the Port of Manzanillo as a national leader in port operations,” Contecon Manzanillo said in a statement.

STS ship-to-dock gantry cranes are notable for being the largest, with a height of 60 meters. Their role is fundamental in today’s logistics chain, as they enable the agile and efficient loading and unloading of containers from large vessels.

With the addition of these STS cranes, Contecon Manzanillo is positioned as the first terminal in the Americas to feature this type of equipment. “Thanks to this advancement, we successfully serviced the MSC NAPOLI earlier this year , one of the largest vessels to dock at the port of Manzanillo, operating with a stack of 10 high-cube containers,” he emphasized.

The capacity to handle large vessels opens up new opportunities to attract more operations to the port of Manzanillo, benefiting Mexican foreign trade by reducing logistics times and increasing international competitiveness.

The company’s expansion project includes expanding its yards and docks to accommodate megaships of up to 24,000 TEUs.

“Thanks to our strategic investments, we have increased our operational capacity, allowing us to achieve 14% growth in 2024, moving 1,454,201 TEUs and contributing to the economic development of Manzanillo,” said José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo.

During 2024, investments exceeding $300 million were made , highlighting the acquisition of gantry and RTG cranes, as well as the construction of new container yards, which are already in operation, the firm recalled.

“With these new acquisitions, we have boosted the growth of Contecon Manzanillo and consolidated our position as one of the country’s leading logistics platforms,” ​​emphasized José Antonio Contreras.

The company emphasized that investments are key to boosting the port of Manzanillo, which, according to the Mexican government , is the country’s main trade and logistics center, handling approximately 70% of imports from Asia.

In 2024 alone, the port handled 39.8% of the national total for containerized goods, with just over 23.5 million tons ; although, based on the number of containers, it handled 41.8% of the national total, with 3,924,515 TEUs , according to the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Manzanillo .

*Images taken from the LinkedIn profile of Contecon Manzanillo.

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El cargo Contecon Manzanillo adds six cranes to facilitate its logistics operations. apareció primero en T21.

As imports increased ahead of anticipated tariffs, the Port of Long Beach , California, United States, was the busiest in the country during the first quarter of 2025, handling 2,535,575 TEUs (20-foot containers) in that period, representing a 26.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

“We are leading the way as the nation’s busiest port by ensuring the fastest and most efficient delivery of cargo from our docks to anywhere in the United States,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach.

According to a statement, last March alone, port workers and terminal operators handled 817,457 TEUs, which represented 25% more than in the third month of 2024.

“Our highly skilled longshore workers have worked hard to help us become the busiest seaport in the United States during the first quarter of the year,” said Bonnie Lowenthal, president of the Long Beach Port Commission.

In the reference month, imports also showed positive performance, growing 25.8% to 380,562 TEUs ; while exports decreased 1% to 104,063 TEUs .

Empty containers moving through the port increased 35% to 332,832 TEUs . March also marked the tenth consecutive monthly increase in cargo compared to the previous year.

“We are working hard to attract business, operate sustainably, and develop projects that ensure our long-term growth,” Lowenthal emphasized.

The port also experienced its busiest first half of any fiscal year on record, with 5,267,926 TEUs moved since October 1, making it the busiest U.S. port over the past six months.

Meanwhile, in 2024, the Port of Long Beach was the second busiest seaport in the country, with 9.6 million TEUs processed.

As the United States’ primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the port handles more than $300 billion in annual trade and supports 2.6 million American jobs , including 575,000 in Southern California.

Over the next 10 years , the port plans $3.2 billion in capital improvements to increase capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability.

Regarding sustainability, in 2025 the port celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Green Ports Policy, which has led to programs to improve air and water quality, protect marine wildlife, and implement sustainable practices.

“Our investments in modern, state-of-the-art facilities allow us to move record amounts of cargo with maximum efficiency while continuing to provide the highest standard of customer service,” said Mario Cordero.

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El cargo Container throughput increases at the Port of Long Beach in Q1 2025 apareció primero en T21.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved a standard on marine fuels for ships on Friday, as well as a global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing mechanism, seeking to achieve decarbonization in global shipping by 2050.

These measures, approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its 83rd session (MEPC 83) in London, England, are expected to be adopted next October before coming into force in 2027.

The standard will be mandatory for large seagoing vessels exceeding 5,000 gross tons, which, according to the IMO, emit 85% of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from international shipping.

With this policy, which was supported by 63 countries, the tax is expected to generate between $30 and $40 billion in revenue by 2030, approximately $10 billion annually .

Furthermore, the agreement is projected to help reduce absolute GHG emissions in the shipping sector by 10% by 2030.

Starting in 2028, ships will be required to switch to low-carbon fuel blends or pay for their excess emissions. Ships that continue to use conventional fossil fuels will be charged a fee of $380 per ton on the most emissions-intensive portion of their fuels, and $100 per ton on any remaining emissions above a certain threshold.

This new agreement was reached following the approval of amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) , in its Annex VI, which deals with air pollution caused by ships.

“The approval of the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI establishing the IMO net-zero emissions framework represents another step in our collective efforts to combat climate change and modernize shipping, and demonstrates once again that IMO is delivering on its commitments,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez.

MARPOL Annex VI currently has 108 Parties, covering 97% of the world’s merchant fleet by tonnage.

“The objective is to achieve the climate targets set out in the IMO’s 2023 Strategy on Reducing GHG Emissions from Ships, accelerate the introduction of zero- and near-zero GHG-emitting fuels, technologies, and energy sources, and support a just and equitable transition,” the United Nations agency stressed .

According to the draft rules, the implementation of a global standard to reduce the GHG intensity of marine fuels is included .

“Vessels that emit above GFI thresholds will be required to purchase recovery units to offset their shortfall emissions, while those using zero- or near-zero GHG emission technologies will be eligible for financial rewards,” the regulations state.

According to the statement, ships emitting above the established thresholds can offset their emissions deficit by transferring surplus units from other ships; utilizing surplus units they have already accumulated; and using recovery units acquired through contributions to the IMO’s Net-Zero Fund .

The IMO has established the Net-Zero Fund to collect contributions from emissions pricing, the proceeds of which will be used to reward low-emission vessels and support innovation, research, infrastructure, and just transition initiatives in developing countries .

Also, in funding training, technology transfer, and capacity building to support the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy, as well as mitigate the negative impacts on vulnerable States.

Among the outcomes of MEPC 83 were the approval of a proposal to designate the Northeast Atlantic Ocean as an Emission Control Area and agreement to designate two new Particularly Sensitive Marine Areas off the Pacific coast of South America. In addition, the draft work plan for the development of a regulatory framework for the use of on-board carbon capture systems was approved.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) , more than 80% of the world’s traded goods move by ship, and maritime transport accounts for between 2% and 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so this measure could represent a step forward in global decarbonization goals.

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El cargo IMO gives the green light to regulations to advance the decarbonization of maritime transport apareció primero en T21.