THE Port of Long Beach handled 657,830 TEU in January, 12.9 per cent higher throughput than the same month last year.

"The pre-Lunar New Year surge is definitely here," said port executive director Mario Cordero.

"Since this year's holiday begins February 16 we anticipated a busy January and February as cargo owners seek to get goods shipped ahead of the festivities."

Compared to January 2017: imports jumped 8.6 per cent to a record 324,656 TEU; exports were up 1.9 per cent to 120,503 TEU; and empty containers surged 28.5 per cent to 212,671 TEU, reported IHS Media.