Port of LA Exports Hit Third-Highest Level Ever

The Port of Los Angeles reported Thursday that outbound traffic soared in March 2011 to the third-highest level in history.

Outbound traffic — the number of containers leaving the port — increased by about 19.2 percent from the same time a year ago, while inbound traffic increased approximiately 10.2 percent for the same time period.

Last month's outbound traffic also represents a peak for the last three years.

In a report released February by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Port of Los Angeles ranked second nationwide in export value at $3.3 billion and fourth in import value at $3.1 billion, making up 6.6 percent of total U.S. maritime trade.