imports

Why it still feels like a recession for many

Chart of the Week: Inbound Ocean TEUs Index, Outbound Tender Volume Index – USA  SONAR: IOTI.USA, OTVI.USA

Import demand based on bookings of twenty-foot equivalent units heading into the U.S.

(IOTI) remains down compared to two years ago, but only slightly. Truckload tender volumes (OTVI) are down roughly 25% compared to the same period in 2022. These two figures are effective indicators of goods demand in the U.S. This is the perspective of deterioration that many businesses are still coping...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/why-it-still-feels-like-a-recession-for-many

Container shipping outlook 2024: Rising risk of delays, disruptions

The supply chain crisis is long over, but America’s importers still have a lot to keep them up at night as they plan for 2024.  

Two key container shipping “chokepoints” — the Panama Canal and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea — are simultaneously under threat. Container-line financials are under severe pressure, forcing ever more vessel sailings to be canceled. The dockworkers union serving East and Gulf Coast ports is threatening to strike next October. While freight rates are low,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/container-shipping-outlook-2024-rising-risk-of-delays-disruptions

US imports dragged down by seasonality, Panama Canal crisis

chart showing imports

The good news for container lines: U.S. imports are still higher than they were before the pandemic. The bad news: This year’s string of month-on-month gains is over. Seasonality, combined with worsening conditions at the Panama Canal, pulled down imports in November — a negative for freight rates.

According to data from Descartes (NASDAQ: DSGX) released Thursday, U.S. ports handled 2,099,408 twenty-foot equivalent units of imports last month, 9% less than in October.

(Chart: Descartes Datamyne)

V...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-imports-dragged-down-by-seasonality-panama-canal-crisis

What downturn? US imports still rising, highest since boom

chart of imports volumes

American consumers just keep on spending — and the volume of containerized imports keeps on rising. October import numbers released Tuesday by Descartes came in exceptionally strong.

The U.S. imported 2,307,918 twenty-foot equivalent units of containerized goods last month, according to Descartes Systems Group (NASDAQ: DSGX), which obtains its data from customs filings. That’s up 3.9% year on year and 4.7% compared to September.  

(Chart: Descartes. Data: Descartes Datamyne)

Imports have surged...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-downturn-us-imports-still-rising-highest-since-boom

Port Houston’s Export Triumph Amidst Challenges

Credit: pymnts/Unsplash

Port Houston has once again experienced a significant increase in loaded exports through its Bayport and Barbours Cut Container Terminals,says an article published on port houston website.

September Export Surge

Port Houston experienced a record-breaking increase in loaded exports during September, marking a significant milestone in its history. Handling 124,739 loaded export TEUs, this surge, a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2022, is primarily attributed to...

https://mfame.guru/port-houstons-export-triumph-amidst-challenges/

East Coast vs. West Coast: More imports shift back to Pacific ports

chart of spot rates to ports by coast

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In the perennial tug-of-war between West Coast and East Coast ports, the momentum has shifted yet...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/east-coast-vs-west-coast-more-imports-shift-back-to-pacific-ports

US container imports still rising, topping pre-COVID levels

There has been no shortage of doom and gloom about the “plunge” in U.S. imports this year. And yet, the numbers still don’t show anything to be particularly gloomy about.

U.S. imports have been rising month on month since February. They were up sequentially yet again in September, according to data released Tuesday by Descartes Systems Group (NASDAQ: DSGX).

Descartes said the U.S. imported 2,203,452 twenty-foot equivalent units in September. That’s up 0.3% versus August and up 27% from the low...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-container-imports-still-rising-topping-pre-covid-levels

US container imports rise in line with pre-COVID peak season pattern

chart of imports

Container shipping spot rates in the trans-Pacific trade started to rise in late June and remain near their highs for 2023. The question is: How much of this rate gain is driven by peak season demand, and how much by shipping lines intentionally constraining capacity?

U.S. import numbers confirm that at least some of this rate gain is demand-driven.

On Monday, Descartes reported that U.S. ports imported 2,196,268 twenty-foot equivalent units in August, up 0.4% from July and 5.5% from June. This...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-container-imports-rise-in-line-with-pre-covid-peak-season-pattern

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