The Port of Los Angeles experienced a 6 percent drop in cargo shipments in 2008, ending more than two decades of steady growth.

Nearly 7.85 million cargo containers passed through the port in 2008, a significant drop from the 8.4 million containers that were handled in 2007. Additionally, year-over-year shipments were down 15.2 percent in December, marking the single worst month in 2008 for the port.

Shipments are expected to decline even further this year as the national recession deepens, Geraldine Knatz, the port’s executive director, said Tuesday.

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