News
Container trade between Asia and the U.S. was brisk in both directions in February 2011, according to a report unveiled recently by the Japan Maritime Center (JMC).
Eastbound shipments from 18 Asian economies to the U.S. grew 7.2% to 984,000 TEUs, marking a year-on-year increase for the 15th consecutive month.
Meanwhile, westbound containers rose 6.1% to 525,000 TEUs, an improvement from a year earlier for five months in a row.
Looking at eastbound containers by origin, those from China went up 9% to 637,000 TEUs.
The JMC, which compiled the report from statistical data provided by PIERS of the U.S., said that contributing factors included robustness in general electrical machinery and construction tools.
On the other hand, containers from Hong Kong fell 11.1% to 37,000 TEUs, which declined year on year for the first time in 13 months.
Led by automobile tires and tubes as well as general electrical machinery, shipments from Japan hiked 13.4% from a year earlier to 54,000 TEUs, which was an improvement of 20.8% from a month earlier.
Those from South Korea climbed 12.6% to 51,000 TEUs as auto-related products were favorable, while those from Taiwan inflated 3.9% to 36,000 TEUs.
As for westbound containers from the U.S. to the 18 countries in Asia by destination, those to China surged 10.4% from to 195,000 TEUs, achieving a year-on-year increase for 5 straight months.
By commodity, record highs were set for, among others, raw wood as well as automobile equipment, parts and components.
Those to Hong Kong increased 2.2% to 37,000 TEUs, which was a year-on-year increase for nine months in a row.
Containers destined to Japan remained massive, soaring 12.6% to 72,000 TEUs, which registered a double-digit improvement for the second consecutive month.
Those to South Korea headed north 8% to 60,000 TEUs, accomplishing a year-on-year increase for four straight months, but those to Taiwan decreased 7.2% to 44,000 TEUs.
