The Port of Los Angeles said today that it processed 833,568 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) last month, the busiest July in the port's 111-year history.

Imports increased 5 percent over July 2017 totals to 438,165 TEUs. Exports rose 8.4 percent to 167,992 TEUs. Empty containers—generally boxes returned empty to Asia for loading—increased 1.2 percent.

Last month's volumes exceeded July 2017, the previous record, by 4.6 percent. It was the fourth busiest month overall in the port's history.

Executive Director Gene Seroka attributed July's gains to strength in the U.S. economy and cargo owners moving goods ahead of the expected imposition of tariffs on goods moving between the U.S. and China. July is generally not a slow month for Los Angeles, the nation's busiest seaport. The port has also begun the process of receiving import shipments for the peak holiday buying season.

Through July, overall 2018 volumes have decreased 2.6 percent compared to 2017, when the port set an all-time record for cargo.