News
Containers from the U.S. to 18 countries and regions in Asia decreased 4.2% to 6,386,205 TEUs in 2015, suffering a year-on-year decline for two years in a row, according to a report unveiled by the Japan Maritime Center (JMC). Imports to Japan fell 5.1% to 747,727 TEUs, contracting from a year earlier for the fourth consecutive month.
In December alone, the JMC report, which had been compiled from statistical data provided by the The Port Import/Export Reporting Service of America, added that westbound containers waned 5.9% to 505,640TEUs, which was the first year-on-year contraction for the first time in two months. Incoming shipments to Japan went down 6.5% to 53,533 TEUs, which was also the first year-on-year fall in two months.
Looking at westbound containers by destination, in East Asia, those to China went down 4% to 2,745,032 TEUs, which were smaller than a year earlier for two consecutive years. Imports to South Korea waned 3.2% to 613,175 TEUs, which diminished year on year for four straight years, while those to Taiwan plunged 17.2% to 491,118 TEUs, registering negative growth for the first time in two years. Shipments to Southeast Asia improved 1.2% to 1,008,849 TEU, enjoying positive growth for the third consecutive year. Those to South Asia picked up a less-than-expected 3.4% to 474,139 TEUs.
