Imports to ports of L.A., Long Beach drop in March
Imports to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach fell in March, partly because of the Lunar New Year holiday, which slows production -- and exports -- in many Asian countries.
The Port of Los Angeles reported Monday that March imports fell 28.7% from the same month last year, dropping to 231,396 containers.
Exports also dropped in March from a year earlier. The port handled 154,428 outgoing containers last month -- a 17.9% drop.
Combined, overall container volume dropped nearly 23% in March compared with a year earlier.
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The Port of Long Beach also reported a drop in imports in March, but not as sharply as its Los Angeles counterpart. Imports were down 0.5% in March compared with a year earlier.
Exports, however, rose to 156,212 containers -- the highest volume since June 2008, port officials said.
Overall cargo volume at the Port of Long Beach rose 5.4% from March 2012.
The strong first quarter of this year, port officials said, is due to larger ships that are calling at the port more frequently and the addition of service lines in recent months.
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ricardo.lopez2@latimes.com
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