Facebook Twitter Twitter    Archive | www.aapa-ports.org August 19, 2014
   

Cargo Traffic Trends: Global Port Tracker, Georgia, San Pedro

Print Print this Article | Send to Colleague

Import volume at major U.S. container ports is expected to hit an all-time record in August as retailers concerned about the lack of a West Coast longshoremen's contract rush to bring holiday season merchandise into the country, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report. The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reports throughput at its Garden City Container Terminal in Savannah set a monthly record in July of 293,889 TEUs. The San Pedro Harbor ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles together handled container volumes totaling just over 1.3 million TEUs in June, an increase of 1.1 percent from a year ago.

Port Tracker Anticipates Record Imports as West Coast Port Talks Continue

Import volume at major U.S. container ports is expected to hit an all-time record in August as retailers concerned about the lack of a West Coast longshoremen’s contract rush to bring holiday season merchandise into the country, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released August 11 by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Global Port Tracker’s conclusions are based on its 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 negotiations appear to be going well, but each week that goes by makes the situation more critical as the holiday season approaches," NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. "Retailers are making sure they are stocked up so shoppers won’t be affected regardless of what happens at the ports."

U.S. ports followed by the report handled 1.48 million TEUs in June, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 0.38 percent from the preceding month but up 9.1 percent from June 2013.

July was estimated at 1.53 million TEUs, up 5.8 percent from a year ago. Subsequent month forecasts: August – 1.54 million TEUs ( 3.6 percent);  September – 1.48 million TEUs ( 2.8 percent); October – 1.48 million TEUs ( 3.3 percent); November – 1.37 million TEUs ( 2 percent);  December – 1.34 million TEUs ( 2.1 percent).

The forecast August total would be the highest monthly volume since NRF began tracking import volume in 2000, topping the previous record, July’s 1.53 million TEUs, and the unusually high numbers seen this spring as retailers began importing merchandise early in anticipation of this summer’s contract talks.

The numbers through December would bring the 2014 total to 17.1 million TEUs, up from 16.2 million in 2013 and 15.8 million in 2012. 

"U.S. GDP has increased in 11 out of the last 12 quarters, confirming that we are in a sustained period of expansion," said Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett. "A significant portion of the strong upswing in imports has been due to the labor negotiations, with importers moving up shipments just in case."

Georgia: Savannah Container Count Hits a Monthly High in July

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reports throughput at its Garden City Container Terminal in Savannah set a monthly record in July of 293,889 TEUs.  That was up 19.2 percent from July 2013 and beat the previous record, set just this May, by 3,453 units. Since January, Savannah has averaged 269,688 TEUs per month.

"Improved confidence among U.S. retailers, newly added port customers, and shifting cargo from U.S. West to East Coast are all fueling the growing cargo volumes at Georgia’s deepwater ports," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. "Savannah has the space to more than double its throughput as more shippers choose East Coast ports to serve the fast-growing Southeastern U.S." 

The GPA also reports handling 2.52 million short tons of cargo across its s during July, up 12.8 percent, or 287,600 tons, from a year ago.  Containerized cargo alone increased 15.7 percent to 2.14 million tons. Break bulk cargo increased 7 percent, to 226,493 from 211,618 tons.

During July as well, 61,860 units of autos and heavy machinery rolled through the GPA’s Brunswick and Savannah terminals, up 8.5 percent from July 2013. At East River Terminal in Brunswick, bulk cargo such as wood pellets exports experienced a 12.8 percent increase to 63,126 tons.

San Pedro Ports Container Volume Up 1.1 Percent in July

The San Pedro Harbor ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles together handled container volumes totaling just over 1.3 million TEUs in June, an increase of 1.1 percent from a year ago. The June data reflect year-on-year declines of roughly 1.0 percent each for inbound and outbound loads and a 9.2 percent jump for empty container movements. That brought first half 2014 volume year at America’s largest container handling complex to a six-year high of just over 8.7 million TEUs and an increase from January-June 2013 of 5.2 percent. Click here for details.
 

Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn