Rays of Recovery – U.S. Container Imports Hit Record High in June

(SteelGuru)

According to preliminary U.S. Customs figures, U.S. container imports from the Far East were the highest on record for June, even exceeding the standing June 2007 record of 1.2 million TEUs.

China led the volume surge, hitting 840,000 TEUs for the month. These shipments were mostly loaded in May, when Chinese ports were again recording their highest YoY monthly figures. Total Far East US trade growth for 2010 is expected to exceed the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement forecast of 6% to 8% cargo growth made in March, following the 15% decline in 2009.

Volume growth in the six months of 2010 has already reached 19% and second quarter growth surged by 23%, following the first quarter’s 14% increase. Read more here.