Port Tracker: U.S. container imports slowly climbing

Port Tracker: U.S. container imports slowly climbing    Container imports at the main U.S. ports are slowly climbing but are expected to remain below last year's levels for most of 2008, according to the latest monthly Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation and Global Insight.
   The report added that despite the expiry of West Coast dockworkers' union contract on July 1, negotiations are continuing and no disruption to cargo movement is expected.
   For May, the latest month for which actual numbers are available, inbound box volume at the U.S. ports surveyed by Port Tracker — Los Angeles-Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma, New York-New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, and Houston — was up 3.4 percent from April at 1.31 million TEUs but down 5 percent from May 2007. June was estimated at 1.34 million TEUs, down 7.8 percent from a year ago.
   'Month to month numbers are climbing as we build toward the peak of the shipping season, but remain below last year because of reduced consumer demand,' said Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the NRF.
   'The gap is starting to narrow, however, and we expect October to show an increase over last year. That's an important sign because October is when the largest share of merchandise sold during the holiday season usually comes through the ports. November is expected to decline again, but the second half of the year is looking much better than the first half, and we hope to see the trend continue in that direction.'
   Port Tracker's monthly forecasts up to November are:
   ' July, 1.4 million TEUs, down 3.1 percent.
   ' August, 1.45 million TEUs, down 0.8 percent.
   ' September, 1.42 million TEUs, down 3.6 percent.
   ' October, 1.47 million TEUs, up 1.7 percent.
   ' November, 1.35 million TEUs, down 2 percent.
   All ports covered are rated 'low' for congestion and Global Insight Economist Paul Bingham said the West Coast longshore workers contract talks are unlikely to slow port productivity.
   'There is no indication that either side wants a work stoppage to pressure for an agreement. There are no other significant short-term labor issues threatening the ports, and port and related transportation labor is expected to continue to be adequate,' he said.