On March 7th, we completed the data for February 2011 in our U.S. Customs trade data tool, TradeIQ. Total shipments in February decreased by 11.09% from January, and grew 7.27% over the previous year. Asian origin imports fell when compared to January figures, while imports from Central America, measured in Shipments, increased 6.07% as the demand for fresh fruit took an upward turn.

Below is a table showing port regions of the world where shipments originated:

U.S. Ports on the Atlantic Coast show the greatest increases in volumes for February 2011 over January 2011. The most noteworthy increases were West Palm Beach, FL and Chester, PA with increases of 37.86% and 18.73% respectively. Overall, levels dropped on the Pacific coast with an overall average decrease of 14.15% from January.

Below is the trend of the last thirteen months showing total TEU volume and shipments as seen in Zepol's monthly containerized import press releases: 

Methodology:

Zepol's data is derived from Bills of Lading entered into the Automated Manifest System. This information represents the number of House manifests entered by importers of waterborne containerized goods. This is the earliest indicator for trade data available for the previous month’s import activity. The data excludes shipments from empty containers, excludes shipments labeled as freight remaining on board, and may contain other data anomalies.

The U.S. Census Bureau released its Merchandise Trade data numbers on February 11th for December 2010. The Merchandise Trade balance increased 6.4% over last December and fell 11.6% from the previous month. Imports dropped 1.5% from November and gained 14.3% over last year, while exports rose by 3.6% from the previous month and 17.9% over December 2009.

Below is an in-depth breakdown of the U.S. Census Merchandise Trade data. This month we have highlighted 5 interesting items that we found while looking at December's data; here are the highlights:

1. Trade protectionism will rise
2. The supply of containers could impact exports more than increased manufacturing
3. Concentration of imports shifting to ports East of the Panama Canal
4. Inflationary pressures on the dollar could tamp down both import and export growth
5. Housing could still be the anchor dragging the U.S. back to another recession
   

Click here for Zepol's U.S. Census Merchandise Trade Data Update for December 2010

On February 6th, we completed the data for January 2011 in our U.S. Customs trade data tool, TradeIQ. Total shipments in January rose by 7.69% from December, and grew 17.62% over the previous year. Imports from Asia rebounded to show strong year-over-year totals as importers prepared for the lunar New Year.

Below is a table showing port regions of the world where shipments originated:

As the New Year begins, there is a lot of hope in the container shipping industry that normalcy will return. However, the uncertainty in Egypt and industry shifts from the Great Recession will have an effect on the industry for years to come.

Over the next year, two issues will likely reign supreme:

1. Importers choosing NVOs over VOCCs to book and handle their cargo
2. The continued shift of Asian origin cargo to ports East of the Panama Canal

Below is the trend of the last thirteen months showing total TEU volume and shipments as seen in Zepol's monthly containerized import press releases:

Methodology:

Zepol's data is derived from Bills of Lading entered into the Automated Manifest System. This information represents the number of House manifests entered by importers of waterborne containerized goods. This is the earliest indicator for trade data available for the previous month’s import activity. The data excludes shipments from empty containers, excludes shipments labeled as freight remaining on board, and may contain other data anomalies.

The U.S. Census Bureau released its Merchandise Trade data numbers on January 13th for November 2010. The Merchandise Trade balance increased 15.6% over last November and jumped 6.4% from the previous month. Imports fell 0.8% from October and gained 18.1% over last year, while exports decreased by 4.0% from the previous month and 19.4% over November 2009.

Below is an in-depth breakdown of the U.S. Census Merchandise Trade data. This month we have highlighted 5 interesting items that we found while looking at November's data; here are the highlights:

1. DVD imports losing steam with increased online streaming
2. Ramping up on food trade in the winter
3. Services portion of the economy strong
4. Wholesale prices rise, but mostly steady
5. Lock step with Canada
   

Click here for Zepol's U.S. Census Merchandise Trade Data Update for November 2010