EARLY news of the Port of Los Angeles record-breaking 14.5 per cent increase in container volume to 707,182 TEU in April has been dampened by later news of Long Beach's 14 per cent slump in import laden boxes to 232,963 TEU.

The combined laden imports arriving at the San Pedro Bay twin port complex in April increased 2.6 per cent to 597,518 TEU year on year, which is seen as a positive sign for the coming transpacific peak season.

Overall, LA's laden container imports increased 16.7 per cent to 364,555 TEU while exports were up 11.6 per cent to 186,838 TEU. But Long Beach laden imports volumes fell 14 per cent to 232,963 TEU as exports declined 16 per cent to 120,452 TEU.

The Long Beach decline was attributed to the move of California United Terminals last year from Long Beach to LA. But Long Beach now pins its hopes of renewal on the Middle Harbour terminal plan with its Hong Kong's OOCL expected to bring in fresh volumes.