Traffic at the Port of Los Angeles increased 2.5 percent in January compared with the same month last year, according to figures released Friday.

About 686,000 containers moved through the port in January. Imports jumped 6.7 percent, and exports were up 1.7 percent. Empty containers, which were sent overseas to be filled with goods, decreased 5.1 percent.

The port said the increase was partially due to shippers moving cargo in advance of the Chinese New Year, which fell on Jan. 31. The holiday was in February last year.