US IMPORTS at America's major ports are expected to increase 7.3 per cent year on year for the back-to-school season, according to Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
"Now that west coast ports have recovered from the congestion, retailers are focused on the back-to-school season," said NRF vice president Jonathan Gold.
"Retailers are continuing to work with their business partners to address congestion impacting supply chains. Part of the solution will be Congress passing a long-term highway bill that addresses freight movement," he said.
Ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.61 million TEU in May, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 6.2 per cent from April and 8.2 per cent from May 2014.
June was estimated at 1.56 million TEU, up 5.5 per cent from 2014. July is forecast at 1.6 million TEU, up 7.3 per cent; August also at 1.6 million TEU, up 5.5 per cent; September at 1.63 million TEU, up 2.4 per cent; October at 1.61 million TEU, up 3.5 per cent and November at 1.5 million TEU, up 7.5 per cent.
The first half of 2015 was estimated at 8.8 million TEU, up 6.4 per cent over the same period last year.
Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said the increases in imports are in line with other improving economic indicators.
"US consumer spending recorded its largest increase in nearly six years in May, suggesting that the level of confidence about the future has improved," Mr Hackett said. "This is very positive news."
Port Tracker covers Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma, New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Houston
OPINION
09 July 2015 - 21:27
Port Tracker: High hopes for 7pc import increase for back-to-school season
US IMPORTS at America's major ports are expected to increase 7.3 per cent year on year for the back-to-school season, according to Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
OPINION
09 July 2015 - 21:27
Port Tracker: High hopes for 7pc import increase for back-to-school season
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