The Port of Long Beach was named North America’s best seaport by 15,000 industry professionals polled by the shipping trade publication Asia Cargo News.

The Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards were announced in Hong Kong last week at a gathering of importers, exporters, and logistics and supply chain professionals.

Awards were also given in such categories as best shipping lines, container terminals, air cargo terminals, airports and rail haulers.

This year’s award marked the 17th time in the past 20 years that Long Beach has won Best North American seaport. In the past, the program was organized by another publication, CargoNews Asia.

The award comes as the port, which handles $180 billion in annual exports and imports through 140 shipping lines, is struggling, along with its twin port in Los Angeles, to maintain a dominant position in the Asia trade. Shippers were shaken late last year and early this year by logistical snafus at the two ports, which were exacerbated by a labor conflict. Competition from East Coast ports is growing, soon to be facilitated by a widening of the Panama Canal.

However, even the wider Panama Canal will not be able to fit the giant ships which Long Beach and Los Angeles ports are now able to accommodate. The 3,200 acre Long Beach complex is in the midst of a 10-year $4.5 billion infrastructure upgrade.

Contact the writer: mroosevelt@ocregister.com; on Twitter @MargotRoosevelt