Cargo container shipments through the Port of Long Beach dropped 11 percent in 2008 the biggest single-year decline in more than two decades and in stark contrast to 2007 when the port had its busiest year ever.

The number of containers shipped into and out of the port fell to 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, a level not seen at the port since 2004.

The slowdown picked up steam throughout the year, with December marking the weakest month for the port; container volume tumbled 25.3 percent to 429,946 TEUs.

The Port of Los Angeles also had a dismal year as reported in statistics released earlier this week; it had a 6 percent drop in container volume after more than two decades of steady growth.

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard D. Steinke said the port intends to move forward with various projects despite the downturn.

“Despite the weak global economy, Port of Long Beach remains fiscally strong and competitive,” Steinke said. “The port is firmly committed to investing in improvements that will provide new, local jobs, stimulate the local economy, protect the environment and improve security.”

In 2007, 7.3 million TEUs passed through the Long Beach port, marking its busiest year ever and indicating of how fast global trade has slowed.