LONG BEACH, CA-Goods movement industry experts and executives convened Wednesday in downtown Long Beach and said there is a growing sense of optimism for cargo's upcoming “peak season,” the time of year when international trade traditionally ramps up from mid-summer into fall. The eighth annual “Pulse of the Ports—Peak Season Forecast” conference hosted by the Port of Long Beach examined the trends and expectations in international trade.

A panel of representatives from across the supply chain told the audience of about 400 people at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach that customers who ship cargo internationally are looking forward to a busier year this year compared to 2011. In addition, panelists said that Southern California ports are well prepared with the facilities, labor force and customer service to accommodate the increase.

“Importers are optimistic and they believe sales will increase this year. And they are excited about it,” explained Daniel R. Wall, senior vice president of Expeditors, a logistics firm.

Meanwhile, exports are supporting the US economic recovery, with overseas purchases of US autos, construction equipment and agricultural products expected to continue to rise, said Walter Kemmsies, chief economist for Moffatt & Nichol Engineers.

Peter Friedmann, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, said the expected growth of agricultural exports in years to come represents a signature economic opportunity for those in the goods movement industry who choose to embrace it.

“It’s only in the last couple years that exports have become the in thing. Exports are the future,” Friedmann said. “The Port of Long Beach, unlike a lot of ports and a lot of ocean carriers has really understood the value of exports for a quite a long time.”

Although there was some concern for regulatory challenges facing the trucking industry, but the long-term picture for the Port of Long Beach offered hope, given the Port’s “access to markets, its reputation for service and its ongoing investment in infrastructure.”

Erxin Yao, president of the OOCL Inc. shipping line, said it’s clear that future success in the ocean transportation business depends on efficient and sustainable freighters that can haul the most cargo at the lowest cost, using fewer resources. OOCL recently agreed to a long-term lease with the Port of Long Beach for the newly renovated Middle Harbor terminal that will be able to handle the largest ships efficiently. “The Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project will enable us to meet the challenge of the future,” Yao told the audience.