U.S. Import Growth 'Slow and Steady' in 2012, Zepol Says
Zepol said U.S. vessel imports rose 1.2% in 2012, to more than 17.6 million TEUs (twenty-foot-containers) imported, about 200,000 more containers than 2011. It said "slow and steady growth seems to be the consistent pattern for the year," but import volume still has not returned to 2007 or 2008 levels.
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Zepol called an especially unique year for U.S. imports. "In the past 12 months there have been strikes at the ports, hurricanes, and shifts in manufacturing," said Zepol CEO Paul Rasmussen: "Not to mention that in a post-recession economy, U.S. companies are running their businesses much more conservatively. It's no wonder that 2012 imports were less than dramatic and certainly not back to the massive consumption seen in 2007."
Specific findings include:
- U.S. imports from Asia increased 0.2% from 2011, significantly below the 6.4% increase from Europe.
- China decreased in TEU exports to the U.S. for the second consecutive year, by 0.4%. South Korea increased 1.2%, Japan 2.2%, and Germany 8.7%.
- The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach posted slight decreases from 2011, by 0.7% and 2.3%. The Port of Newark/New York increased in 2012 by 1.6%. The Port of Norfolk, Va., was up 10.3% and the Port of Charleston, S.C., by 7.4%.
- Maersk Line was the top carrier again for 2012 and increased in TEUs from 2011 by 7.9%. Mediterranean Shipping Company was the second largest, up 0.6% from 2011. APL Co. was third, and up 5.1%.