Retail Imports Projected to Increase in November Despite Hurricane

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 5.9 percent, to 1.37 million 20-foot-equivalent units, in November, despite the temporary closure of some ports because of Hurricane Sandy, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“While there was clearly a regional impact, at this point the storm is not expected to have a major effect on holiday sales numbers,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF’s vice president for supply chain and customs policy, in a written statement.

The New York and New Jersey terminals were affected by Hurricane Sandy for a short period, but cargo destined for those locations was handled elsewhere until service returned, said Ben Hackett, Hackett Associates’ founder.