The Port of Los Angeles announced that it has experienced record breaking export volumes for the second year in a row.

According to the port, outbound container volumes surged 14.5% in 2011 as compared to 2010 and imports rose 2.3%. The ports total annual volumes rose 1.4%.

Mr Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, said that "We are fortunate to have stronger year over year results in 2011 but we are not resting on our laurels as the nation’s premier trade gateway."

He added that "That's why we are investing USD 1.5 billion in capital improvements over the next five years. We are going to create more than 20,000 construction jobs and keep infrastructure at the Port of Los Angeles unparalleled as we face a new competitive landscape."

According to a press release, the port handled a total of 7.9 million twenty foot equivalent container units in 2011 as compared to 7.8 million TEUs in 2010. Port exports rose 14.5% to 2.1 million in 2011 compared to 1.8 million in 2010. Total YoY imports increased by 2.3% to 4.06 million in 2011 as compared to 3.9 million in 2010.

Mr Geraldine Knatz executive director at the Port of LA said that "2011 was our second straight year of record exports and it's an example of how our Port is prepared to handle a shift in global trade patterns. We continue to facilitate export opportunities through our nationally recognized Trade Connect program while focusing our longer term strategies on retaining and growing our position as the nation's busiest container seaport."