Far East trades propel shippers' to US east coast ports
Time：2015-07-23
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According to data from Minneapolis trade research provider Zepol, total imports along the east coast have risen by 15 per cent, while import traffic on the US west coast down four per cent.
Imports from China along the west coast fell by three per cent, but Chinese imports on the east coast continue to gain ground. Atlantic ports attracted 20 per cent more containers from mainland China this year, and Gulf ports 43 per cent more.
"Shipments are setting sail for eastern ports even before the Panama Canal expansion is complete," said Zepol CEO Paul Rasmussen.
"Shippers may be tired of west coast backups, and with carriers adding more lines from Asia to the east coast, it`s hard to blame them."
The ports of Newark/New York, Savannah and Houston recorded the highest increase in imports during the first half, year on year. The port of Newark/New York bumped up imports by 12 per cent, Savannah by 32 per cent, and Houston 26 per cent, which saw a spike in containers from China. The port brought in 53 per cent more Chinese containers than last year.
"Looking at these numbers, the port of Newark/New York`s imports are becoming competitive with Long Beach," said Mr Rasmussen. "Upgrades to the Suez Canal and the focus on larger vessel infrastructure at eastern ports certainly help pull traffic away from the Pacific."