America’s ports had a strong start to 2018 with a 9% rise in inbound container handling to reach 2.34 million TEUs in January. That was the fastest rate of growth since April 2017, and was largely due to booming shipments from Asia of both machinery and consumer goods. Individual ports’ performances started 2018 as they had ended 2017. The best performing major port on the west coast was Long Beach with a 29% surge in handling, outpacing neighboring LA’s 5% rise. Meanwhile Seattle and Tacoma’s slide continued with a 13% slump. Investments on the east coast are beginning to bear fruit, wi...