Long Beach on the up again
After closing 2009
with the first increases in monthly container cargo numbers in two years, the
Port of Long Beach has reported a continued uptrend in trade for January
Imported cargo increased by nearly 9% in the first month of 2010 compared to
the same period last year. Exports were up by 28%. In December, the Port saw the
end of a downtrend in trade numbers that began in late 2007.
Imported cargo, generally consumer goods, rose to 217,925 TEU in January, a
8.6% gain compared to the same period a year ago. Exports, generally raw
materials, rose 27.9% to 113,183 TEU. The number of empty containers, mostly
outbound, declined by 11.3% to 97,697 TEU.
Overall, shipping terminals at the port moved 428,805 TEU in January compared
to 399,295 TEUs a year ago, a 7.4% increase and a second straight month of
gains.
- At the end of January PIERS Trade Horizons reported that US containerised
imports were down 14.8% in 3Q/ 09 compared with the same period of 2008,
continuing the deceleration that began in 2Q/ 2009. While cautioning that the
outlook at such turning points in the economy can be murky, PIERS interprets the
available data as indicating the recession is essentially over, but the return
to sustained growth will be gradual and, once achieved, will be moderately
paced. The PIERS forecast for import trade volumes in 2010 now calls for annual
growth of 6.2%. Growth in export volumes of 5.4% is projected for the year.
- IANA has just reported that the improvement in the US economy during 4Q/09
translated into modest gains for intermodal shipments. Domestic container volume
increased 9.0% during the quarter compared to 4Q/08. All but two IANA regions
recorded domestic container volume gains. December volume was a substantial
16.9% above year-ago levels. "This growth combined with modest gains throughout
the year propelled total 2009 domestic container volumes 2.9% above 2008
figures," stated IANA.