Total cargo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles were off slightly in September compared to the same month last year, despite a more than 25 percent jump in export boxes.
The port handled a total of 705,624 TEUs in September, a 0.8 percent decline over September 2010.
A slight 0.2 percent decline in import volumes was reported in September, with the port handling a total of 372,655 loaded inbound TEUs during the month.
The one major bright spot for the port in September was export volumes. Port staff report handling 176,954 loaded outbound TEUs for the month, a 26.6 percent jump over the same month last year.
However, the entire 37,154 TEU gain from exports to the port's total box volumes for the month were offset by a significant 42,549 TEU decline in empty boxes handled.
For the calendar year, the port has moved a total of 5,884,347 TEUs since Jan. 1, a 0.25 percent increase over the first nine months of last year.
The release of September numbers for the neighboring Port of Long Beach have been delayed and are expected to be released later this week.