Container volumes at West Coast ports increased 7 percent in May compared to May 2011, with imports up 8 percent and exports up 5 percent, the Journal of Commerce reports citing the Pacific Maritime Association statistics.
Year-to-date, the total container volume at West Coast ports increased 3 percent compared to the first five months of 2011. Imports were up 3 percent, and exports increased 2 percent.
May marked the strongest month of the year so far for imports. Containerized imports increased 11 percent over April, which was the previous high of 2012.
Exports peaked in March, which is traditionally one of the strongest months of the year. However, May was the second strongest month of 2012 for exports.