US press reports reveal that, at major US container ports, imports are expected to total 1.46 million TEU in June, up 7.5% from June 2013.
This rapid escalation is because of retailers hedging against the chance of labour unrest at Pacific ports.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) said that retailers are bringing unusually high quantities of merchandise into the country early to avoid any potential disruptions after the labour contract with West Coast dockworkers expires on June 30.
Sea Web quoted NRF supply chain VP Jonathan Gold, saying: “Shippers learned a hard lesson from the 2002 lockout (on the West Coast) and the most recent action at East and Gulf Coast ports.”
According to the monthly Port Tracker report compiled by the NRF and Hackett Associates, US box imports increased 10.3% in April and are estimated to have risen 5.8% in May.
Overall, Port Tracker estimates that US box imports will be up 6.5% in 1H14 versus 1H13.
Labour fears boost US box imports
Comments | 0
