Week 13: Chemical Imports Help Drive Traffic Up 13% at U.S. Ports

Total traffic for all imports entering all U.S. ports was up 15% in week 13, 2011, compared to the same week in 2010, according to U.S. import market data compiled by Zepol Corp. For the year to date, overall traffic is now up 8% over the same period in 2010.

Chemical imports were particularly strong in week 13, being up 22% over the comparable week in 2010. Of the 10 vertical sectors tracked by Zepol, eight were up by double-digit percentages in week 13, with autos and parts (21%) and textiles (20%) both being up 20% or more.

Mineral and stone imports was the only vertical sector to report an decline for week 13, being down 1% compared to the same week in 2010.

On a regional basis, the greatest increase in activity for week 13 came at the East Coast ports, where activity was up 23%. A tremendous spike in plastics and rubbers imports (105%) at the Gulf Coast ports helped those ports register a 16% jump for the week. Imports were also up 11% at the West Coast ports, but were down 12% at the other ports.