California ports see record freight traffic

The major ports in California have seen record volume recently as the United States importers of Chinese goods moved their orders forward in anticipation of higher tariffs.

An increase in duties that importers had expected at the end of 2018 didn't materialize, but the businesses have seen higher shipping costs since the summer.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in Southern California and the Port of Oakland in Northern California both reported increased imports and decreased exports last year, partly due to "front-loading".