The Port of Los Angeles reported a 5 percent rise in imports in July compared with a year earlier.

Overall July volumes edged down 1.6 percent due to a drop in the shipment of empty containers. Compared to the same period last year, the port’s total volumes increased 2.9 percent to 501,186 20-foot containers.

Dockworkers exported 132, 490 20-foot containers in July, a 2.87 percent decrease compared with last year. Still, the port reported that the year-to-date cargo volumes have grown 4.75 percent last month.

Gene Seroka, director of the Port of Los Angeles, said the port is ready for the holiday season.

“We are prepared along with our supply chain stakeholders to handle cargo with speed, efficiency and first-class service as we kick off our traditional busy season,” he said.

The port also handled 368,696 20-foot containers of imports, a 5.15 percent increase from last July.

Trade, transportation, and manufacturing reporter Olga Grigoryants can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @olgagrigory.