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US WEST COAST ports have recorded solid gains in container traffic in June with imports up four per cent year on year, and total volume increasing three per cent and exports rising a more modest one per cent.
June was the second highest month of the year for imports, down slightly from May's volume. The US import trade from Asia is expected to increase in the coming months, peaking in September or October with holiday merchandise from Asia.
The container volumes reported in June by the Pacific Maritime Association for all west coast ports were in line with the year to date trend for the first six months of 2012. The total volume of loaded containers increased three per cent, imports were up three per cent and exports increased two per cent compared to the first half of 2011.
Exports have entered the normal lull that occurs each summer. Exports usually pick up with the fall harvest and build through the winter months, peaking in March. This year, however, the drought that is gripping 60 per cent of the America could reduce agricultural exports.
In addition, US exports will be further impacted as some European countries slip into recession, and the economies in China and India slow down.
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