L.A. Imports Jump 22%, Exports Up 9%

Shippers brought a record 181,000 containers last month into the Port of Los Angeles, up 22% from a year ago, as retailers continued to gear up for the holiday season. Some retailers also may be importing more as they prepare for computer problems that could arise when Jan. 1, 2000, arrives, port spokesman Jeff Leong said. Exports from Los Angeles were up 9% in September from a year ago, marking the fifth consecutive monthly gain. Shipments of wastepaper and other raw materials probably contributed to that increase, Leong said. Still, exports haven’t risen enough to match the volume of imports, forcing shippers to send many containers back to Asia empty.