News
Containerized exports from Asia to Europe increased 5.3% from a year earlier to 1,431,976 TEUs in August, achieving a year-on-year improvement for the sixth straight month, according to a report released by the Japan Maritime Center (JMC). In the eight months from January, a total of 10,756,513 TEUs were moved outbound from Asia to Europe, which also hiked 5.3%. From Europe, meanwhile, 635,379 TEUs were imported in the month in question, which went up 4% and registered a year-on-year expansion for two back-to-back months. In the first eight months, 5,209,238 TEUs were carried inbound, up 6.7%. New records were set in both directions both in August and in the January-August term.
Looking more closely at containers transported in August from Asia to Europe by destination, the JMC report, compiled from statistical data provided by Container Trades Statistics Ltd. (CTS) of the U.K., showed that year-on-year improvements were marked in all trade routes between the regions. For example, those destined to western and northern Europe went up 3.4% to 908,290 TEUs; to the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea, up 7.2% to 269,040 TEUs and to the western Mediterranean and northern Africa, up 10.8% to 254,646 TEUs.
By origin, meanwhile, those from China swelled 5% to 1,062,530 TEUs, enjoying year-on-year growth for sixth months in a row. From South Korea, 87,929 TEUs were exported, which hiked 6.1% and registered a year-on-year increase for the eights consecutive month. Vietnam shipped 54,328 TEUs, which climbed 3.8% and accomplished an expansion from a year earlier for 14 straight months. In contrast, containers from Japan decreased 4% to 31,568 TEUs, suffering a year-on-year contraction for two straight months. Those from Taiwan declined 3.3% to 28,825 TEUs.
As for container imported from Europe to Asia in August, those from the western and northern Europe headed north 4.6% to 436,826 TEUs. Imports from the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea also increased, going up 8.6% to 110,632 TEUs. On the other hand, those from the western Mediterranean and northern Africa fell 4.1% to 87,921 TEUs.
