Port Tracker predicts retail container traffic

These conclusions are based on a survey and analysis of inbound container traffic flows at the ports of Charleston, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Oakland, Savannah, Seattle and Tacoma.

“With consumer confidence building, retailers are optimistic that the economy is recovering but are continuing to be cautious with their inventory levels,” said NRF vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, Jonathan Gold. “Retailers want to be sure that growth will be sustained and that demand will be there to meet supply.”

US ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.17m teu in December, the latest month for which finalised numbers are available. That was down 6% from the preceding month, but up 2% from December 2010. That brought the year-end 2012 total to nearly 14.8m teu, up 0.4% from 2010’s 14.75m teu.