News
Containers traded between South Korea and Japan decreased 2% to 155,425 TEUs in September, posting a year-on-year decline for three consecutive months, according to statistics compiled by the Korea Nearsea Freight Conference (KNFC). Major contributing factor included a notable reduction of 99.9% in imports of Japanese beer to South Korea, which only amounted to 4.2 tons, due to deteriorations in their relations. Also, there were a total of six typhoons hitting waters between the economies, leading to delays in shipping schedule.
Local export and import containers moved on the South Korea-Japan fell 7% to 53,616 TEUs, consisting of 29,243 TEUs from South Korea to Japan, down 4%, and 24,373 TEUs from Japan to South Korea, down 11%. Transshipment (T/S) containers were the only sector to mark a year-on-year improvement, growing 1% to 101,809 TEUs. Feeder containers waned 2% to 20,739 TEUs.
In the first nine months (January-September), a total of 1,442,375 TEUs were carried on the route, down 3%. Local containers exported and imported amounted to 523,644 TEUs, down 4%, of which those from South Korea to Japan accounted for 278,454 TEUs, down 5%, and those from Japan to South Korea, 245,190 TEUs, down 4%. T/S containers shrank 2% to 918,731 TEUs, while feeder containers contracted, too, plunging 13% to 196,121 TEUs.
