CARGO volume continues to break records at the Port of Long Beach, up 28.3 per cent in September year on year to 701,619 TEU, moving more boxes last month than any September in its history.

It was also the port's best quarter ever, handling 2,114,306 TEU in July, August and September, a quarterly rise of 15.9 per cent year on year.

"Simply put, we are having the best trade months in history," said Harbour Commission president Lou Anne Bynum. "Back-to-school merchandise was strong for us, and it looks like retailers are optimistic about the holiday season."

Imports increased 29.5 per cent in September to 366,298 TEU. Exports rose 4.1 per cent, to 125,336 TEU. Empty containers moving out of Long Beach to be refilled with goods overseas totalled 209,985 TEU, up 46.4 per cent.

The huge jump in cargo last month relative to a year ago is only partly due to the Hanjin bankruptcy that hit west coast ports in September 2016. "Our continuing recovery is due to our best-in-the-industry customer service, and the best terminals and infrastructure in the nation for shippers who need to rapidly transport cargo," said port of executive director Mario Cordero.

Volumes have been strong throughout the summer with nine per cent gains in June, 13 per cent increases in July and an eight per cent improvement in August.

July was the busiest month ever, and now September is the third busiest ever. For the calendar year, container volumes have surged 8.9 per cent.