After a strong start to 2016, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles reported this week that their respective, record surges of traffic continued into February.

Combined, January and February 2016 overall volumes at both ports increased 42 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Port of Los Angeles saw its busiest February in the port’s 109-year history, following its best January volumes.

“Back to back record months to start 2016 indicate consumer confidence in the U.S. economy and strong shipper confidence in our terminal and supply chain partners to deliver on speed and efficiency,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

February 2016 imports at the Port of Los Angeles surged 46.6 percent compared to the previous year. Exports increased 11.1 percent.

The arrival of the biggest ship to visit North America, meanwhile, triggered the Port of Long Beach’s highest cargo volume for the month of February and extended cargo growth for an eighth consecutive month.

“In February, we showed the world we can handle today’s megaships by inaugurating the 18,000-TEU CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin,” said chief executive Jon Slangerup. “The future of big ships is here, and our customers are choosing Long Beach because we offer the fastest, most efficient way to get cargo from Asia to the rest of the United States.”

Imports at the Port of Long Beach in February were up 44.7 percent. Exports increased 11.1 percent.

The gains in February at Long Beach were also credited to several other factors. These included the strength of the U.S. dollar driving demand for imports and U.S. importers ordering extra products ahead of the anticipated lull that will come to the port in early March in the aftermath of port closures in China during Chinese New Year.