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Global Port Tracker: Retail Imports to Increase 2.3 Percent in March Despite Sequestration Impelled Delays at Ports

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March import volume at top U.S. major retail containerized cargo ports should be up 2.3 percent from a year ago, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released earlier this month by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.

Global Port Tracker’s conclusions are based on a survey and analysis of inbound container traffic flows at the ports of Charleston, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Oakland, Port Everglades, Savannah, Seattle and Tacoma.  

"Retailers are aware of the impact of the cuts on Customs operations at the ports and are working to plan accordingly so the impact on merchandise headed for the store shelves is minimized,” said Jonathan Gold, the NRF’s vice president for supply chain and customs policy. "This is a situation the industry is monitoring very closely.”

U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.33 million TEUs in January, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 0.9 percent from the preceding month and 3.7 percent from January 2012.

February, historically the slowest month of the year, is estimated to have increased by 6.8 percent to 1.16 million TEUs.  Subsequent month forecasts: March – 1.27 million TEUs (+2.3 percent); April – 1.35 million TEUs (+3.5 percent); May – 1.44 million TEUs (+5.5 percent); June – 1.44 million TEUs (+4.2 percent); and July – 1.46 million TEUs (+3.2 percent).
 

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