Insights - May 2016 - (Page 9)

2014-2016 YEARLY TRAFFIC TOTALS BY MONTH Source: IANA Equipment Type, Size and Ownership data file Eﬀective January 2016, IANA data and statistics products began providing a more comprehensive picture of North America's intermodal business through coverage that includes movements into, out of and within Mexico. For more information, visit www.intermodal.org or contact Art Cleaver at 301-982-3400, ext. 346. Freight Reports Retail Imports Building According to the April 8 Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, the nation's top containerports handled 1.5 million TEUs in February 2016, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 3.7 percent from January and 28.9 percent from unusually low figures in February 2015 when a new contract with dockworkers ended a near-shutdown at West Coast ports. March was estimated at 1.35 million TEUs, down 22.1 percent from the same month in 2015 and also skewed by last year's congestion. Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports has begun its annual climb toward summer levels but is expected to be largely flat when compared with last year's record high numbers. "Last year was a roller coaster but this year we're expecting a nice, steady climb right through the summer," NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. "We're finally getting back to normal patterns as cargo builds up toward the back-to-school season and eventually the holiday season. Despite the yearover-year comparisons, these are still strong numbers." Not withstanding high retail inventory levels and other mixed economic indicators, Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett noted that overall retail sales were up 0.2 percent in February over January and 0.6 percent when gasoline, automobiles and restaurants are excluded. "That was not spectacular but still up, suggesting that there is still some steam left in U.S. consumers," Hackett said. "They are shrugging off the gloomy global outlook." Global Port Tracker covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades and Miami on the East Coast; and Houston on the Gulf Coast. Intermodal Volumes Down in March Total intermodal volumes fell 6.1 percent in March relative to the same month last year. While domestic container shipments grew 3.6 percent, intermodal trailer and international volumes fell 27.9 percent and 9.8 percent respectively. Comparisons continue to be impacted by last year's West Port congestion issues. Year-todate growth through Q1 of 2016 was 2.0 percent. Eﬀective January 2016, IANA's Intermodal Market Trends and Statistics includes expanded information on Mexican intermodal movements. May 2016 | Intermodal Insights 9 http://www.intermodal.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - May 2016

Insights - May 2016
DOT Reports Size and Weight Study
IANA Comments on Freight Plan
Matt Rose to Address Intermodal EXPO 2016 Attendees
Silver Kingpin Award Selection Commences in June
UNF Hosts IANA Case Competition
Driver Turn Times are a Supply Chain Issue
Freight Reports
State Legislative Update
Sustainability News
Port News
People in the News
In Brief
2016 Sponsors
Welcome New Members
Intermodal Calendar

Insights - May 2016