Week 33: Gulf Coast Ports See Huge Jump in Activity

Sep 2, 2010 11:21 AM

In week 33, 2010, total traffic for all imports entering U.S. ports was up 20% 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.

Chemical imports remain the strongest sector, being up 137% in week 33 and up 89% for the year. Chemicals were particularly strong for the week at West Coast ports, where traffic was up 211% over the comparable week in 2009. That was the largest single percentage gain for the week, but was closely followed by the 186% gain that steel imports saw at the Gulf Ports, compared to the same week in 2009.

It continues to be a rough time for wood/pulp imports, however, as imports were down 41% for Week 33 compared to the same week in 2009, and are down 38% 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 33 was at the Gulf Coast ports, where import traffic was up 38% compared to the same week in 2009. Traffic at West Coast ports was up 21%, while traffic at the East Coast ports was up 18%. Traffic at all other U.S. ports was down 14% for the week.

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