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Cargo Statistics: Global Port Tracker, Baltimore, Georgia

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Containerized retail goods imports should be up 6.1 percent and continued monthly gains are likely at least through August, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report. Auto, container and wood pulp traffic set records in 2013 at Baltimore’s public marine terminals 2013, according to the Maryland Port Administration. The Georgia Ports Authority reports cargo throughput at its terminals statewide jumped 15.5 percent in March to a monthly high of 2.61 million short tons.

Global Port Tracker: Retail Imports to Increase 6.1% in April, Growth to Continue at Least Through August

Import volume at leading U.S. containerized retail cargo handling port should increase by increase 6.1 percent in April and continue growing at least through August, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released April 7 by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

"With winter over, retailers are stocking up in anticipation of a busy spring and summer," said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold. "Consumers can expect plentiful supplies of merchandise."

U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.26 million TEUs in February, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 8.4 percent from the preceding month and 1.4 percent from February 2013.

March is estimated at 1.31 million TEUs, up 15 percent from a year ago. Subsequent month forecasts: April – 1.38 million TEUs ( 6.1 percent); May at 1.44 million TEUs – ( 3.8 percent); June – 1.43 million TEUs ( 5.5 percent); July – 1.49 million TEUs ( 3.1 percent); August – 1.51 million TEUs ( 1.2 percent). First half 2014 – 8. 2 million TEUs ( 5.5 percent).

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.

The import numbers come as NRF is forecasting 4.1 percent sales growth in 2014, contingent on how Washington policies on economic issues affect consumer confidence. NRF cautions that cargo volume does not correlate directly with sales but is a barometer of retailers’ expectations.

"There is positive news with both the rebound in U.S. retail sales in February and the new filings for jobless benefits hitting a fresh three-month low last week, suggesting that the economy is gaining momentum," Hackett Associates FounderBen Hackett said. "Our forecast continues to reflect the economic rebound and we remain convinced that 2014 will have sustainable growth."

Baltimore Sets Cargo Records in 2013

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) reports that 2013 was a record year for autos, containers and wood pulp in the Port of Baltimore. General cargo totaled 9.6 million tons, virtually the same as the 2012 record. Here are the numbers:

 

  • Autos (public and private terminals): 749,100 vehicles, up 12 percent from the previous record, 652,000 cars in 2012.
  • Containers (public terminals): 705,230 TEUs, up 4.0 percent from the previous record, 677,876 TEUs in 2012.
  • Containerized cargo (public terminals): 6.4 million tons, up one percent from the previous record, 6.3 million tons in 2012.
  • Wood pulp (used to produce napkins, tissues, paper towels): 591,570 tons, up 23 percent from 2012. The previous record was 515,433 tons in 2011.

Including private marine terminals, the port in 2013 handled a total of 30.3 million tons of import/export cargo valued at approximately $52.6 billion, compared to 36.8 million tons worth $54 billion in 2012. The decline was largely due to a 23.3 percent drop in export coal to 16.6 million tons from 21.5 million in 2012.

Georgia Ports Cargo Tonnage, Ro/Ro Hit Monthly Highs in March, Containers Up 12%

The Georgia Ports Authority reports its terminals statewide moved some 2.61 million tons of cargo in March, a 15.5 percent increase from March 2013 and an all-time monthly high.

Containerized cargo shipped through the GPA’s Garden City Terminal accounted for nearly 2.1 million tons, up 11.1 percent from last year’s 1.9 million tons, thanks in part, said GPA Executive Director Curtis, to "a combination of new customers and retail outlets increasing inventory before the busy summer season." The box count also increased, by 12.1 percent to 260,639 to from 232,546 TEUs.

The GPA reports as well that more than 64,000 cars, trucks and tractors crossed its Brunswick and Savannah docks in March, a 21-percent increase from last year.

GPA data through March for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2013, show increases from FY 2012-2013 of 6.8 percent in container volumes (to 2.31 million TEUs), 7.4 percent in ro/ro traffic (to 503,091 units) and 8.4 percent in cargo (to 21.8 million tons).

 

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