US IMPORT volume major retail container ports is expected to set record in October as Christmas approaches, according to the Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
The 1.52 million TEU handled in August, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available, was up 1.5 per cent from July and 2.1 per cent from August 2013.
September was estimated at 1.48 million TEU, up 2.8 per cent year on year, and October’s forecast of 1.53 million TEU would be up 6.4 per cent from last year. November is forecast at 1.39 million TEU, up 3.7 per cent, and December at 1.37 million TEU, up 3.9 per cent.
That would increase 2014 full year volume 5.3 per cent to 17.1 million TEU. Imports in 2012 totalled 15.8 million against 2013's 16.1 million TEU. The first half of 2014 totalled 8.3 million TEU, up seven per cent over last year.
January 2015 is forecast at 1.42 million TEU, up 3.5 per cent from January 2014, while February is forecast at 1.35 million TEU, up 8.5 per cent from last year.
The import numbers come as NRF is forecasting 4.1 per cent holiday season sales growth and 3.6 per cent growth for 2014 overall.
"Congestion at the nation’s ports as well as the ongoing west coast labour negotiations are concerns and retailers are making one last push to make sure they’re stocked up for the holidays,?said NRF vice president Jonathan Gold.
Import volume at ports covered by the report is expected to total 1.53 million TEU this month, topping the 1.52 million TEU monthly record set in August.
Cargo volume has been well above average each month since spring as retailers have imported merchandise early in case of any disruption on the docks.
The contract between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union expired on July 1, prompting concerns about potential disruptions that could affect back-to-school or holiday merchandise.
Dockers remain on the job as negotiations continue, but the lack of a contract and operational issues have led to record congestion at the ports.
Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma, New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Houston.
PORTS
12 October 2014 - 16:02
US import boxes expected to set October record, up 6.4pc: Port Tracker
US IMPORT volume major retail container ports is expected to set record in October as Christmas approaches, according to the Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
PORTS
12 October 2014 - 16:02
US import boxes expected to set October record, up 6.4pc: Port Tracker
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