US retail container volume increases expected throughout summer

The 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.

“Consumers are spending despite fuel prices and other economic concerns, so retailers are stocking up to meet the demand,” said Jonathan Gold, the NRF’s vice president for supply chain and customs policy. “These numbers show imports growing through to the back-to-school season and even into the beginning of the shipping cycle for the holiday season. That’s a sign that retailers are expecting a good year.”

US ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.18m teu in March, the latest month for which finalised numbers are available. That equates to increases of 14.1% from the preceding month and 8.5% from March 2011.