News
Container exports from 18 Asian countries and regions to the U.S. totaled 1,247,027 TEUs in April, enjoying a year-on-year increase for two back-to-back months, according to a report released by the Japan Maritime Center (JMC). The total grew 4.5% from a year earlier to set a new record for the month of April. Major improvements were made in shipments from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and South Asia.
In the first four months (January-April), eastbound containers hiked 3.3% to 4,673,027 TEUs.
The JMC report, compiled from statistical data provided by the U.S.’ Port Import/Export Reporting Service (PIERS), indicated that imports from the U.S. to Asia plunged 11.5% to 532,937 TEUs in March, declining year on year for the seventh consecutive month. The decrease was greater than in February, despite the fact that the disputes that began in the autumn of last year between labor and management at ports on the west coast of North America had been accommodated.
In the first quarter (January-March), inbound containers plummeted 12.1% to 1,481,549 TEUs.
As for shipments to and from Japan, the JMC said that exports to the U.S. rose 6.9% to 63,177 TEUs in April, swelling from a year earlier for two months in a row. Meanwhile, imports were as brisk, expanding 5.8% to 73,540 TEUs, which was the first year-on-year inflation in nine months.
