POSITIVE trade numbers for January reported by the US government created the first glimmer of hope for a potential recovery for shipping volumes in 2023, reported Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
Revised January trade data from the US Commerce Department showed imports increased three per cent to US$325.8 billion overall.
'We expect imports to show modest gains over the next several months,' said National Retail Federation vice president Jonathan Gold.
The retail trade association said in its monthly Global Ports Tracker: 'Growth is a positive sign, but levels are still far below normal and retailers will remain cautious as they work to keep inventories in line with consumer demand.'
Consumer goods were up nearly four per cent with imports of motor vehicles, parts, and engines the highest on record. Imports of goods from China drove much of the growth with the overall trade numbers showing a fourth monthly decline breaking the steady growth trend that started back in September 2020.
But an economist to the Wall Street Journal cautioned despite the positive report that they did not believe the data signaled the start of a sustained recovery.
SeaNews Turkey
Revised January trade data from the US Commerce Department showed imports increased three per cent to US$325.8 billion overall.
'We expect imports to show modest gains over the next several months,' said National Retail Federation vice president Jonathan Gold.
The retail trade association said in its monthly Global Ports Tracker: 'Growth is a positive sign, but levels are still far below normal and retailers will remain cautious as they work to keep inventories in line with consumer demand.'
Consumer goods were up nearly four per cent with imports of motor vehicles, parts, and engines the highest on record. Imports of goods from China drove much of the growth with the overall trade numbers showing a fourth monthly decline breaking the steady growth trend that started back in September 2020.
But an economist to the Wall Street Journal cautioned despite the positive report that they did not believe the data signaled the start of a sustained recovery.
SeaNews Turkey
