Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Top Story
NRF: Import volume to surge in August at U.S. ports
Import volume is surging top U.S. container ports and expected to hit an all-time record in August, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. NRF is also forecasting 3.6 percent sales growth in 2014.
Retailers worried about possible shipping delays during West Coast labor contract talks rushed to import holiday season goods earlier than usual, just in case, the report said. The contract between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union expired on July 1, and dockworkers have remained on the job as both parties continue to negotiate a new deal.
"The negotiations appear to be going well but each week that goes by makes the situation more critical as the holiday season approaches," said Jonathan Gold, NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy. "Retailers are making sure they are stocked up so shoppers won't be affected regardless of what happens at the ports."
Import volume at U.S. ports covered by the Global Port Tracker report is forecast to total 1.54 million TEUs in August, the highest monthly volume since NRF began tracking import volume in 2000.
U.S. ports followed by the report handled 1.48 million TEUs in June up 9.1 percent from June 2013. July is estimated to be up 5.8 percent at 1.53 million TEUs, August up 3.6 percent at 1.54 million TEUs, September up 2.8 percent at 1.48 million TEUs, October up 3.3 percent at 1.48 million TEUs, November up 2 percent at 1.37 million TEUs, and December up 2.1 percent at 1.34 million TEUs.
Those numbers would bring 2014 to a total of 17.1 million TEUs, an increase of 5.2 percent year-over-year, the report said.
Global Port Tracker covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma, New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami, and Houston.
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