Major retail cargo ports in the United States are experiencing slow volume growth, US National Retail Federation and Global Insight reported in latest monthly Port Trackers.
US ports surveyed handled 1.31 million TEU in May, the most recent month for which numbers are available, representing an increase of 3.4 per cent over the previous month but down 5 per cent against May 2007.
"Month to month numbers are climbing as we build towards the peak of the shipping season, but remain below last year because of reduced consumer demand," said NRF vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold in a statement.
"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. November is expected to decline again, but the second half of the year is looking much better," he said.
June's cargo volumes were estimated at 1.34 million TEU, down 7.8 per cent from a year ago; July is forecast at 1.4 million TEU, down 3.1 per cent; August at 1.45 million TEU, down 0.8 per cent; September at 1.42 million TEU, down 3.6 per cent; and October at 1.47 million TEU, up 1.7 per cent, the report said.
Traffic for January-June 2008 was down six per cent against the same period in 2007, and the second half of the year is anticipated to experience a smaller decline of 0.6 per cent compared to the same period a year ago.
Ports covered are Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma, New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah and Houston.
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