US reports 5% drop in inbound box volumes

US inbound container volumes for October fell 4.8% to 1.4 million teu compared with the same month in 2011 and were 6.8% lower than volumes for September 2012.

Latest statistical data from Minneapolis-based trade research house Zepol, using US Customs manifest entries for the major ports, records a 5% drop in imports from Asian countries in October.

Zepol found that Chinese unitised imports, which account for more than 60% of Asian exports to the US, fell 2.4% from October 2011 to just over 1 million teu. Containers from Japan rose 14.2% compared to September’s figure and were 1.7% higher than the level last October.

“Europe was a similar story to Asia, with most countries seeing a drop in imports from September,” Zepol said. “Germany saw a 16.4% drop from September and Italy and Belgium decreased 7.3% and 19%, respectively.”

These latest figures come as the west coast port of Los Angeles, the largest US container gateway, saw box volumes edge ahead by just 0.8% in October, compared with the corresponding month in 2011, to 718,400teu.

However, overall throughput increased 4.7% in the first 10 months of 2012 to 6.9 million teu.

Imports fell just over 1% to 364,900teu, compared with October 2011 and exports decreased 7.1% to 179,800teu. Factoring in empties, which increased 15.% year over year, overall October 2012 volumes were marginally ahead.

The neighbouring west coast port of Long Beach — the second largest US box gateway — is expected to released its October figures later today.

Zepol added: “Looking at pre-recession levels, October had some of the highest teu counts, but in 2011 and 2012, the holiday import surge has shifted back to July and August.

“For the remainder of 2012, US imports will most likely decline as the peak season ends for importers and consumption begins to wane.”

In its breakdown for individual shipping line volumes, Zepol found that “most carriers” saw a drop in October teu imports compared with September.

“Maersk Line fell 13.5% this month, as well as Mediterranean Shipping Co by 9.6%. On the other hand, APL saw a significant rise in imports by 12% and even rose from October of 2011 by 13.6%.

“Overall, even though vessel imports are down in October, total US imports for the year are up 2.6%, compared with January through October of 2011.”