The recession appears to have ended at the West Coast’s largest container ports.
The Port of Los Angeles reported that container traffic for 2010 was up 16% from 2009.
There were double-digit percentage increases in both import and export volume, and the port set a new record for container exports.
“The 2010 volume gains far surpass our initial estimates,” port executive director Geraldine Knatz said in a statement.
“This is good news not only for Los Angeles, but cities across the nation,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.
Los Angeles is the nation’s top-ranked port for container volume. The number-two port, next door in Long Beach, also had a good year in 2010.
The Port of Long Beach reported handling 23% more containers in 2010 than in 2009.
