All engines go as U.S. shipping speeds up

Ahead of back-to-school and the holidays, companies are filling up inventory, heating an already hot summer for the U.S. shipping industry.

In June, the Port of Los Angeles moved more that a million shipping containers, leading to the best June in the port’s 118-year history. And despite continued high fuel prices and other supply chain hang-ups, life at the port is locked in high gear.

“Remember we have an 85-acre facility,” said Weston LaBar, chief strategy officer at Waterfront Logistics. “It has been so full, the last two weeks we actually took additional space next to our facility.”

Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal caught up with LaBar about business at the port, and whether this hot shipping summer will stay the course through the new year.

To listen to their full conversation, click the audio player above.