Panjiva, a global trade intelligence provider, reports that trade activity experienced a healthy bump from February to March. Specifically, the number of waterborne shipments coming into the U.S. experienced a 14% month-over-month increase from February to March. This compares favorably to previous years’ February to March changes (+4% in 2011, +3% in 2010, +9% in 2009, -6% in 2008).
The number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. also went up — 6% — from February to March. February-to-March changes in previous years: -0.2% in 2011, +3% in 2010, +2% in 2009, and -5% in 2008.
The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List remained at 19%. Those are companies that have suffered a 50% or greater decline in volume shipped to American customers in the most recent three month period, versus the same period a year ago.
The percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Watch List supplier in the preceding three months also remained at 26%. “Significant manufacturers” are companies that have sent 10 or more shipments to American customers within the last year. As of the end of March, Panjiva identified 93,587 significant manufacturers.
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