U.S. Containerized Imports Rise 2.7 Percent in 2011

NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Journal of Commerce and PIERS revised estimates for containerized import growth for 2011 and 2012 downward on Thursday, citing weaker economic data reported by the U.S. government that will lead to a nearly stagnant import trade for the rest of this year.

Mario Moreno, economist for The Journal of Commerce/PIERS, revised the annual growth estimate for the full year 2011 down from 4.7 percent to 2.7 percent, and from 6.8 percent to 4.4 percent for 2012.

He forecast year-over-year declines of 0.7 percent in overall imports and 2.4 percent for eastbound trans-Pacific trade for third quarter 2011, followed by increases of 1.1 percent in overall imports and 0.9 percent in eastbound trans-Pacific trade in the fourth quarter.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's recent revisions indicate "that the U.S. economy has performed much more poorly in the post recessionary period than was believed and been close to recession for much of the first half of the year," Moreno said.

Stubbornly high unemployment and the weak housing market have led to sluggish retail spending on key import commodities, including furniture and home appliances, despite optimistic results earlier this year. This weakening of the consumer market contributed to the year-over-year drop of U.S. containerized imports by 5.4 percent in July, after falling 1.7 the previous month.

Moreno expects the U.S. dollar exchange rate to continue its decline against major currencies well into 2012. Foreign investors will likely turn to other markets as soon as the European financial crisis abates and investor appetite for risk increases, he said, which will cause the demand for dollars to continue falling, and higher import prices to then dampen U.S. demand for goods made abroad.

A full analysis of the JOC/PIERS findings is available at www.joc.com.

To become a member of The Journal of Commerce click here. JOC members have access to our weekly print and digital magazine and Web site, as well as a 10 percent discount on all JOC events and trade shows, UBM Global Trade Directories and select PIERS products. Authoritative editorial content in the form of daily news, weekly analysis and regular features ensure our members have the information and data necessary to understand the issues facing trucking, rail and maritime transportation. Members enjoy access to "By the Numbers," an exclusive weekly compilation of key industry statistics that provides detailed views of current market trends across all modes. Regular market intelligence reports -- utilizing PIERS trade data -- include Top 100 Imports and Exporters, quarterly Top 40 Container lines, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic Maritime Forecasts and Top Container Ports and Terminals. Market-sector supplements, including Breakbulk, Cool Cargoes, 3PL, JOC Guide to Trucking and others, ensure all modes are comprehensively covered. 

About PIERS -- PIERS is the most comprehensive database of U.S. waterborne trade activity in the world providing information services to thousands of subscribers globally. Launched more than 35 years ago, PIERS was the first venture in digital global trade intelligence and quickly became the industry standard for accuracy, reliability and insight. Our unique infrastructure and proprietary technology allow us to not only publish import data but also complete coverage of U.S. export transactional data. PIERS is a division of UBM Global Trade, and a sister company of The Journal of Commerce.  For more information, visit www.piers.com, or call 800-952-3839 (+1-973-776-8660).

About UBM Global Trade -- UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of UBM LLC, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-848-7250 outside the U.S. or Canada).  

Contact:
Mario O. Moreno, Economist
The Journal of Commerce/PIERS
+1-973-776-7850, [email protected]

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce & PIERS

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