U.S. West Coast ports registered a modest increase of 5 percent in total loaded containers during the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period last year.
Export growth exceeded growth in imports, with exports up 9 percent and imports increasing 3 percent, according to statistics released Monday by the Pacific Maritime Association.
On a regional basis on the U.S. West Coast, the Southern and Northern California gateways experienced stronger growth than the Washington ports.