Port Traffic Increases Could Signal Good Times Ahead

Ronald White of the Los Angeles Times, reported on May 13, 2010 that at the Port of Los Angeles, the number of containers arriving from overseas rose about 8.3% from the same month a year earlier, while exports increased 12.4%. Similarly, Long Beach port traffic saw gains of 21.2% in imports from a year earlier and 15.2% in exports. This was the fifth straight month of cargo gains at the nation's busiest seaport complex.

And one of the most encouraging signs might have been the sharp rise in the number of containers that were not carrying goods of any kind.

The number of empty containers shipped out through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in April rose by 20.2% and 15.8%, respectively, compared with the same month in 2009. The empties are bound mainly for China and for other Asian destinations where they will be filled with products and sent back overseas.

On the bigger picture, the ports were down 26% over the previous two years, and now we have about 9% of it back. There still is a question about wether or not the debt crisis in Europe might hurt enthusiasm for California goods and U.S. products overall.

Let's hope this is a sign of a rebounding economy and forthcoming prospertity. What do you think? Let me know by commenting below.