Week 37: Import Activity Slows at U.S. Ports

Oct. 7, 2010
In week 37, 2010, total traffic for all imports entering U.S. ports slowed but was still up 10% compared to the same week in 2009

In week 37, 2010, total traffic for all imports entering U.S. ports was up 10% compared to the same week in 2009, according to U.S. import market data compiled by Zepol Corp. That represents a significant slowing from the results reported for week 35, which were up 21% compared to the previous year, indicating that peak season occurred earlier this year than in 2009. For the year to date, overall traffic maintains its pace of being up 15% over the same period in 2009.

Chemical imports remain the strongest sector, being up 108% in week 37 and up 92% for the year. Chemicals were particularly strong for the week at West Coast ports, where traffic was up 157% over the comparable week in 2009. Steel imports also did well for the week, being up 30% overall compared to week 37 in 2009, and up 206% at Gulf Coast ports.

Wood/pulp imports were down 46% for week 37 compared to the same week in 2009, and are down 39% for the year. All other categories tracked by Zepol are up in double digits for the year.

Geographically, the greatest increase in activity for week 37 was at East Coast ports ,where import traffic was up 19% compared to the same week in 2009. Traffic at Gulf Coast ports was up 9%, and was up 5% at West Coast ports. However, traffic was down 6% at other ports.

Waterborne AMS Shipment Count Number of Shipments Entering U.S. Ports Week 37






Total Traffic Week 37 Cumulative Year to Date Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change Food and Beverage 13,489 11,587 16% 469,004 403,124 16% Autos and Parts 6,511 5,845 11% 224,326 184,202 22% Chemical 1,872 901 108% 66,464 34,602 92% Plastics and Rubbers 21,265 19,359 10% 683,464 580,666 18% Wood/Pulp 8,915 16,519 -46% 301,735 490,954 -39% Textile 22,792 21,623 5% 739,217 666,028 11% Mineral and Stone 3,687 4,116 -10% 139,344 122,465 14% Steel 6,067 4,675 30% 203,935 162,755 25% Electronics 7,324 6,935 6% 248,590 204,617 21% Furniture 12,762 12,067 6% 475,333 422,059 13% All U.S. Imports 194,618 176,967 10% 6,687,224 5,822,484 15%






East Coast Ports Week 37 Cumulative Year to Date Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change Food and Beverage 7,050 5,978 18% 246,541 213,829 15% Autos and Parts 2,559 1,843 39% 83,629 66,883 25% Chemical 836 427 96% 26,803 15,342 75% Plastics and Rubbers 7,743 6,362 22% 237,247 201,423 18% Wood/Pulp 3,765 5,406 -30% 117,110 160,225 -27% Textile 8,669 8,107 7% 276,663 252,702 9% Mineral and Stone 1,553 2,148 -28% 64,381 55,619 16% Steel 2,152 1,749 23% 73,633 58,791 25% Electronics 2,022 1,527 32% 67,557 49,540 36% Furniture 5,069 4,015 26% 171,077 154,655 11% All U.S. Imports 77,242 64,994 19% 2,585,498 2,268,708 14%






West Coast Ports Week 37 Cumulative Year to Date Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change Food and Beverage 5,317 4,524 18% 181,262 154,170 18% Autos and Parts 3,606 3,641 -1% 128,214 104,176 23% Chemical 855 333 157% 32,980 14,372 129% Plastics and Rubbers 12,652 12,188 4% 415,278 353,199 18% Wood/Pulp 4,742 10,383 -54% 168,923 305,245 -45% Textile 13,441 12,791 5% 436,334 389,241 12% Mineral and Stone 1,678 1,590 6% 59,806 54,685 9% Steel 2,841 2,489 14% 100,479 79,676 26% Electronics 4,998 4,779 5% 161,439 136,666 18% Furniture 7,311 7,571 -3% 289,487 253,808 14% All U.S. Imports 105,996 101,061 5% 3,694,794 3,158,259 17%






Gulf Coast Ports Week 37 Cumulative Year to Date Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change Food and Beverage 819 747 10% 28,584 23,974 19% Autos and Parts 243 205 19% 8,832 6,806 30% Chemical 131 114 15% 5,334 3,944 35% Plastics and Rubbers 568 523 9% 20,644 16,110 28% Wood/Pulp 261 512 -49% 9,951 18,593 -46% Textile 334 413 -19% 13,279 12,390 7% Mineral and Stone 403 309 30% 12,761 9,566 33% Steel 959 313 206% 24,799 20,539 21% Electronics 245 535 -54% 16,933 15,571 9% Furniture 163 206 -21% 7,591 6,367 19% All U.S. Imports 8,130 7,453 9% 292,089 256,306 14%






Other Ports Week 37 Cumulative Year to Date Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 Week Ending Sep 18, 2010 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change Food and Beverage 303 338 -10% 12,617 11,151 13% Autos and Parts 103 156 -34% 3,651 6,337 -42% Chemical 50 27 85% 1,347 944 43% Plastics and Rubbers 302 286 6% 10,295 9,934 4% Wood/Pulp 147 218 -33% 5,751 6,891 -17% Textile 348 312 12% 12,941 11,695 11% Mineral and Stone 53 69 -23% 2,405 2,595 -7% Steel 115 124 -7% 5,024 3,749 34% Electronics 59 94 -37% 2,661 2,840 -6% Furniture 219 275 -20% 6,858 7,229 -5% All U.S. Imports 3,250 3,459 -6% 114,843 139,211 -18%

Related Articles

Week 35: Import Traffic Slows at Gulf Coast Ports
In week 35, 2010, total traffic for all imports entering U.S. ports was up 21% compared to the same week in 2009, according to U.S. import market data compiled by Zepol Corp. For the year to date, overall traffic continues its pace of being up 15% over the same period in 2009...

Latest from Global Supply Chain

#198695857@Pramote Polyamate|Dreamstime
Manufacturing Sector Still Contracting: ISM
#292530538@Lightfieldstudiosprod|Dreamstime
Holidays Sales to Hit New Record: NRF