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Last month, the Port of Los Angeles handled 574,827 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 16.3 percent compared with May 2008 volume.

Imports declined 18 percent to 304,109 TEUs and exports dropped 7 percent to 152,471 TEUs. However, imports climbed from April’s level because of lower warehouse inventory levels and exports reached their 2009 high point due to strong raw material shipments, the port said.

During 2009’s first five months, the port handled 2.6 million TEUs, down 16.2 percent compared with volume from the same 2008 period.

Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach, Calif., in May handled 419,555 TEUs, down 21 percent compared with May 2008 volume.

Imports declined 22 percent to 208,591 TEUs and exports dropped 23.8 percent to 121,064 TEUs. However, on a month-over-month basis, imports and exports increased for the third-straight month, the port said.

During 2009’s first five months, the port handled 3.5 million TEUs, down 21.6 percent compared with volume from the same 2008 period. Imports fell 22.8 percent to 1.7 million TEUs and exports tumbled 26.7 percent to 869,385 TEUs.