Apr.14--THE Port of Los Angeles posted an 8.27 per cent increase in March container volume to 650,452 TEU year on year and reported a 55.1 per cent increase from February, but the big leap was attributed to the late February arrival of the Chinese New Year factory shutdown in China this year, which in 2011 came in January, thus skewing 2012 comparative results.
    Imports increased 9.34 per cent to 324,758 TEU while exports declined 2.43 per cent to 188,155 TEU. Empties increased 23.99 per cent to 137,538 TEU. Year to date volumes were up 3.23 per cent to 1,874,820 TEU from January to March year on year.
    Exports were not expected to go up 14 per cent as they did last year, said port spokesman Philip Sanfield, but the port was "cautiously optimistic about import growth in the coming months".

(Source:Shippingazette)