Week 33: U.S. Port Activity Declines by 3%

Total traffic for all imports entering all U.S. ports was down 3% in week 3, 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 remains up 4% over the same period in 2010.

Continuing a recent trend, the biggest percentage gain in imports for the week came again from autos and parts imports, which were up 13% for the week and up 11% for the year. Food and beverage imports were up 8% in week 33, and are up 6% for the year. The best performer in 2011 to date is steel imports, which is up 13% for the year, though only up 3% in week 33.

The biggest drops in week 33 came from textile imports, which were down 9%, as well as chemical imports, also down 9%. For the year to date, furniture imports have seen the steepest decline, being down 6%.

On a regional basis, activity at ports identified by Zepol as “other U.S. ports” saw the biggest gains, being up 33%, led by steel imports which were up an impressive 173%. Gulf Coast port activity was up by 7%, paced by steel imports, which were up 32% for the week. East Coast ports were down by 1%, with autos and parts imports showing the biggest gain over a year ago (up 19%). Activity at West Coast ports was down 5%, with autos and parts (up 10%) performing the best for the week.