Cargo Statistics: Global Port Tracker, Georgia, Milwaukee

Import volume at the top U.S. containerized retail cargo handling container ports should be up 1.8 percent in December and 2.3 percent in CY 2013 from year-earlier levels, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released December 9 by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reports strongly positive business results for November. The Port of Milwaukee completed loading its last ocean-going ship of the season on December 13 and is expecting a year-end cargo tally of 2.7 million metric tons, up from 2.0 million in 2012.

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.

"Imports have seen good growth over last year and retailers are well-stocked as the holiday season continues," said Jonathan Gold, the NRF’s vice president for supply chain and customs policy. "Holiday merchandise has made it from the ships to the shelves and the rest is up to the shoppers."

The U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.43 million TEUs in October, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 0.4 percent from the preceding month, but up 6.4 percent from October 2012.

November is estimated at 1.33 million TEUs, up 3.6 percent from last year. Future month forecasts: December – 1.31 million TEUs (+1.8 percent); January 2014 – 1.35 million TEUs (+3.3 percent): February – 1.18 million TEUs (-7.8 percent); March – 1.32 million TEUs (+15.9 percent); April – 1.38 million TEUs (+6.6 percent).

"The U.S. economy appears to have found a growth spurt," said Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett, citing estimated third-quarter gross domestic product growth of 3.6 percent. "The paradox is that consumer spending remains very cautious and does not come anywhere near the expansion of GDP. The reason is the increasing levels of inventory. Despite back-to-school sales, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and regular sales, the inventory-to-sales ratio remains stubbornly high. Hopefully, November and December numbers will show a catch-up that will help reduce the inventories."

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reports strongly positive business results for November. They included a 6.6 percent increase in container movements via Garden City Terminal in the Port of Savannah to 243,233 TEUs from 228,184 TEUs in November 2012.

Additionally, cargo throughput at its terminals statewide totaled 2,414,630 short tons, up 7.3 percent from last year’s 2,249,431 tons.

"New customers, combined with better-than-anticipated growth in the national economy in recent months, have boosted terminal throughput for November and for the fiscal year to date," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz.

New customers calling on Georgia’s ports range from imports by appliance makers such as Haier America Trading to the expanded exports of Toyotas, Nissans and other vehicles. Savannah has also seen recent private investment in refrigerated cargo warehousing which supports Georgia’s poultry exports.

Through November of the fiscal year that began July 1, the GPA moved more than 1.3 million TEUs (+5.5 percent from FY 2012-2013) and more than 11 million tons (+8.8 percent) of cargo. The GPA also reports ro/ro cargo movements totaling 275,020 auto and machinery units (+5.6 percent) at its Colonel’s Island’s Terminal in Brunswick and 10,874 units at Ocean Terminal in Savannah during the first five months of FY 2013-2014.

The Port of Milwaukee is nearing the end of a busy cargo season paced by an upsurge in salt deliveries. The port is expecting a final year-end tally of 2.7 million metric tons, up from last year’s 2.7 million tons and nearly equal to tonnage handled in 2011.

Last Thursday and Friday, December 12 and 13, some 7,000 tons of steel was unloaded from the Federal Shimanto – the final ocean-going ship scheduled to call on Milwaukee this shipping season. The St. Lawrence Seaway annually closes for approximately three months starting in late December.

"Through the month of November, cargo volume reflects better manufacturing activity in the region served by the Port of Milwaukee," Acting Port Director Paul Vornholt said. "Infrastructure investments at the port continue to improve the customer experience, and we hope that is a factor in maintaining and growing our traffic in the coming years."

Activity continues at the port throughout the winter with rail, truck and barge traffic. Barges carry a variety of cargoes to and from Milwaukee year round via the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Salt, primarily used for street deicing, saw the largest jump in cargo volume in 2013. Through November, the port handled 1.3 million tons of salt, more than twice the amount handled in 2012.

Other commodities typically handled at the port include coal, cement, steel, limestone, fertilizers, machinery, over dimensional project cargoes, liquids such as biodiesel and ethanol, and agricultural commodities like corn, wheat and soybeans.

The port is an economic entity of the Milwaukee city government. It is overseen by a seven-member Board of Harbor Commissioners appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the common council. The port occupies 467 acres and is grantee of Foreign Trade Zone #41.

Offloading steel from Federal Shimanto, Milwaukee last ocean-going ship of the 2013.

Photo/Port of Milwaukee