The US container ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles handled about 750,000 TEU in August, a figure roughly equal to the record-setting month of August last year.

The strong performance comes despite weakening housing and auto markets nationally, reports The Long Beach Press-Telegram.

It said growth was restrained by slumps in housing, furniture, automobile and appliance sales, as manufacturers and retailers imported less in response to weaker consumer spending.

"Even though we've seen very slow month-over-month growth compared with last year, it's still growth and we're projecting new records during the August-October peak season," said Paul Bingham of Global Insight.

Growth was recorded in apparel, footwear and electronics imports. American exports recorded double-digit growth from last year driven by booming demand in Asia for raw materials such as chemicals, cotton and electrical components. Exports are also being boosted by the weak US dollar.

This year, imports are forecast to rise to 760,000 TEU in October at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. This compares to 748,000 TEU for the same month a year ago.