Traffic at the Port of Los Angeles declined 8.9 percent in February compared with the same month last year, according to figures released Friday.

Nearly 560,000 containers moved through the port in February. Imports decreased 10.6 percent, while exports fell 6.2 percent, compared to the same period last year. Empty containers, which were sent overseas to be filled with goods, dropped 8.3 percent.

The port said in a statement that February figures were down because many factories in Asia were closed for two to three weeks for Chinese New Year celebrations. Last year, the holiday had a negative impact on March cargo volumes.