Port traffic will grow in 2007

One big reason for the increase is that the Port of Los Angeles now has the capacity to accept mega-ships carrying 8,000 containers, almost double the capacity on older ships. Volume should be up 5-6 percent, while the Port of Long Beach, which can also handle the really big ships, is looking at a 6-10 percent jump. As reported by California Apparel News, more megaships mean more capacity and that will probably result in lower rates for shipping goods from overseas factories. It's a different story once goods are off the docks. Rail capacity has been stretched because of staffing shortages and older equipment. That's creating capacity problems and higher rates.