News
The Nittsu Research Institute and Consulting, Inc. (NRIC) on Dec. 18, 2012 unveiled projections of economic conditions and cargo transport for fiscal years 2012 and 2013.
The Tokyo-based think tank said that oceangoing containerized shipments to and from nine major ports in Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimizu, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Kitakyushu and Hakata) will grow steadily, increasing 2.3% from a year earlier to 12,732,000 TEUs in fiscal 2013 (April 2013-March 2014).
International air cargoes to and from Japan will climb 0.8% to 2,099,900 tons, according to NRIC, which added that growth will be this minute, as exports are projected to decrease year on year for the third consecutive year.
NRIC said that exports of oceangoing containers from the abovementioned nine ports will improve 1.8% to 5,174,000 TEUs.
They will grow briskly in and after the second half (July-September), underpinned by the gradual recovery of the global economy, but shipments to China, which hold a considerable share of the pie, will not.
Imports will improve 2.7% to 7,558,000 TEUs, thanks to machinery and equipment, which is projected to pick up slowly, although consumer goods will be sluggish owing to inactive consumer spending.
NRIC said that exports of airfreight from Japan will decline 1.1% to 913,800 tons, as shipments to and from Europe will be weak; those to and from other Asian economies will decrease slightly; and those to and from North America will suffer a decrease in the first quarter (April-June).
Imports will hike 2.3% to 1,186,100 tons owing to moderate improvements in foodstuffs, garments as well as electronic parts and components. Last-minute demand for durable goods, which may go up if the government of Japan decides next year to raise the consumer tax rate in 2014, will also be a major factor.
