News
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG)’s Bureau of Port and Harbor recently unveiled that the Port of Tokyo handled a record-high 2,189,259 TEUs of oceangoing containers in the first half (January-June) of this year, which increased 6.5% from a year earlier. As for loaded containers, exports and imports were both brisk, going up 5.8% to 1,006,358 TEUs and up 7.1% to 1,182,901 TEUs, respectively. Empty containers were also robust, which rose 4.6% to 518,582 TEUs.
Looking at container exports by destination on a tonnage scale, those destined to China improved 9.5% to 2,138,154 tons. Exports to the U.S. grew 6.8% to 1,369,750 tons, while those to Taiwan were much more massive, surging 25.2% to 327,895 tons. On the other hand, containers bound for Vietnam suffered a double-digit contraction, plummeting 19.5% to 315,643 tons. By commodity, boosts were seen in recycled materials, industrial machinery and “other” chemical industrial products.
As for imports, meanwhile, those from China climbed 3.7% to 7,502,505 tons, while those from the U.S. swelled 7.5% to 2,040,622 tons. Containers from Vietnam soared 9.9% to 896,077 tons.
The Nagoya Port Authority (NPA) also announced container throughput at the Port of Nagoya for the same six months. A total of 1,269,816 TEUs were moved to and from the port, which hiked 5.1% year on year, according to the port Authority. Exports and imports both expanded, going up 5.4% to 661,094 TEUs, and up 4.9% to 608,722 TEUs, respectively.
By trade partner, exports to China, the U.S. and Thailand were highly placed, while those from China, Thailand and Vietnam all grew from a year earlier, contributing to the overall increase. By item, exports of auto parts and components, industrial machinery and finished cars were favorable, among others. In respect to imports, increases were made in garments, personal belongings and footwear, auto parts and components, industrial machinery and others.
