US retail container imports forecast to rise 6.3pc in August

MAJOR retail container ports in the United States are expected to record a combined increase in import cargo volume of 6.3 per cent in August compared with the same month last year. The whole of 2012 is forecast to see import cargo volume rise 4.8 per cent over last year, according to the National Retail Federation's monthly Global Port Tracker report.

"These numbers all show significant increases for the months when retailers will be bringing merchandise into the country for the crucial holiday season, and we're also expecting an increase for the full year," said NRF vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, Jonathan Gold, in a statement.

"Actual sales will depend on how consumers react to employment levels and other indicators, but retailers are clearly stocking up and hoping for a stronger fall and winter than they saw last year."

US ports surveyed in the report handled 1.41 million TEU in June, the latest month for which figures are available. That was up 4.7 per cent from the previous month, and 10.7 per cent compared with June 2011.

In July it is estimated the ports will record combined container throughput of 1.39 million TEU, up 2.6 per cent from last year. August's collective throughput is forecast at 1.44 million TEU, up 6.3 per cent year-on-year.

Actual results show the nation's ports handled in total 7.6 million TEU in the first half of 2012, representing an increase of 3.8 per cent compared with the same period last year. For the full year, 2012's result is expected to total 15.9 million TEU, up 4.8 per cent from 2011.

"Indicators are mixed, and analysts are getting nervous and expecting the US consumer to retrench and reduce consumption," said founder Ben Hackett of Hackett Associates, the consulting firm responsible for producing the report. "But we continue to believe that trade will not weaken as much as expected by others."

Global Port Tracker covers the US ports of Long Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah and Miami on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.