Port of N.Y.-N.J. first-half container volume UP 14.6%

Port of N.Y.-N.J. first-half container volume UP 14.6%    The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Thursday sustained increases in Asian trade boosted first-half 2003 container volumes in the Port of New York and New Jersey 14.6 percent.
   Imports from Fast East Asia rose 38 percent, while those from Southeast Asia grew 31 percent.
   Asia has become the port’s largest market, surpassing Europe for the first time. Asian imports in the first six months, including furniture, clothing, linen and toys, accounted for 41 percent of all cargo handled through the port.
   The port also reported that trade with Latin America was up 19 percent; trade with Africa up 32 percent and with Australia up 38 percent. In contrast, trade with Europe grew 3 percent.
   General cargo imports in the first half-year rose to 8.4 million metric tons, up 16.8 percent from 7.1 million metric tons in the first six months of 2002.
   General cargo exports increased to 3.1 million metric tons, up 5.9 percent from 3 million metric tons in the first half of 2002.
   “We continue to project annual port growth of approximately 4 percent a year over the next 40 years,” said Richard M. Larrabee, port commerce director for the port authority.