Shipping industry experts and port officials predict a boost in cargo activity at the San Pedro Bay Ports this peak season, which typically runs from mid-summer to fall, in contrast to last year, which brought less-than-expected growth.

With retail sales up slightly and employment continuing to improve, the United States economy is leading a global economic recovery, said Walter Kemmsies, Ph.D., chief economist for Moffatt & Nichol, the Long Beach-based international engineering firm. He said both import and export trade volumes should increase this year over 2011 at the largest seaport complex in the nation.

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