Packing Cargo Into the Ports
Retail container traffic is expected to reach new highs this summer throughout the country’s major ports, according to a recent report by the National Retail Federation and economic-forecasting firm Global Insight.
According to the monthly “Port Tracker” report, nationwide container volumes over last year will be up 6 percent in July to 1.48 million 20-foot containers, up 3.3 percent in August to 1.53 million containers, relatively flat in September with 1.49 million containers and up 2 percent in October, normally the peak shipping month, with 1.54 million containers.
“Cargo volumes are continuing to grow in the buildup toward peak season,” said Global Insight economist Paul Bingham. “All of the U.S. ports we follow are operating without congestion from the harbor to the gate, and even though rail performance deteriorated slightly in May, pressure on intermodal train operations has eased.”
Ports covered by the report include Los Angeles/Long Beach; Oakland, Calif.; Tacoma, Wash., and New York.—Deborah Belgum
