More managable growth predicted for Long Beach-Los Angeles port complex

“International trade and retail experts forecast smooth sailing for cargo moving through the Long Beach-Los Angeles port complex this year, but potentially disruptive congestion problems may be looming. Following tremendous volume increases in 2005 and 2006, retailers and shippers are reporting slower growth this year as the national economy, dragged by a slumping housing market, begins to cool. Still, it’s expected that the L.B.-L.A. seaport, the nation’s largest, will efficiently handle between 8 and 10 percent more volume than last year, according to experts who spoke Tuesday at the third annual Pulse of the Ports economic forecast, hosted by the Port of Long Beach. ‘We do not expect a lot of excitement in 2007, thank God,’ said Bill Rooney, a Hanjin Shipping executive and conference speaker. ‘We see the excitement coming a bit down the road’… To read the full report, visit www.polb.com.”