News
In July 2010, eastbound containers from 18 countries and regions in Asia to the U.S. increased 14% from a year earlier to 1.139 million TEUs, exceeding the 1.1-million-TEU line for three months in a row, according to a report released by the Japan Maritime Center.
On the other hand, the report, which was compiled from statistical data provided by PIERS of the U.S., added that westbound shipments went down 2.9% to 499,600 TEUs, failing to reach 500,000 TEUs for the second consecutive month.
The decline was caused by weakness in leading commodities moved on the trade ? paper and paper products, metal ores and synthetic resins, all of which were imported mainly to China.
As a consequence, a double-digit year-on-year improvement was registered for exports from Asia to the U.S. for four straight months, and negative growth for imports for three straight months.
On an accumulated scale, outbound containers from Asia to the U.S. amounted to 7.23 million TEUs from January to July 2010, up 16.2% from the corresponding seven months of 2009, and inbound containers, 3.551 million TEUs, up 5.3%.
On a month-on-month basis, however, exports from Asia to the U.S. decreased 1% from the previous month in July, making market insiders fear that container movement on the route may be decelerating.
Looking at containers exported from Asia to the U.S. in July by country/region of origin, those from eastern Asia were all massive.
Containerized cargoes from China soared 15.7% year on year to 756,000 TEUs, and those from Hong Kong, 28.5% to 52,000 TEUs, marking double-digit improvements for three and four consecutive months, respectively.
Shipments from Japan climbed 7.8% to 49,000 TEUs thanks to increases in auto-related items.
Exports from South Korea remained powerful, surging 22% to 58,000 TEUs.
Led by general electrical machinery as well as auto parts and components, they accomplished a double-digit rise for nine months in a row.
Containers from Taiwan scored a double-digit improvement for the fourth consecutive month, jumping 17.5% to 41,000 TEUs.
However, exports from Southeast Asia slowed, increasing a minute 1.5% to 132,000 TEUs in total.
As for imports from the U.S. to Asia, meanwhile, those to China were stagnant in July.
Due to the decreases in paper and paper products, metal ores and synthetic resins, they fell 6.7% to 188,000 TEUS, waning year on year for three straight months.
On the other hand, those to Hong Kong swelled 13.3% to 36,000 TEUs, which was year-on-year growth for two back-to-back months.
Imports to Japan remained robust, hiking 11.2% to 68,000 TEUs, an increase for nine months in a row.
In contrast, those to South Korea and Taiwan were not, descending 7.7% to 50,000 TEUs and 4.5% to 45,000 TEUs, both of which declined from a year earlier for three straight months.
