Mike King, Special Correspondent | Apr 11, 2012 10:55AM EDT
Container imports to Europe increased 4 percent in February, while exports grew 8.89 percent, according to the latest analysis from Container Trade Statistics.
North America’s year-over-year growth was also impressive; February exports rose 10.6 percent and imports jumped 21.7 percent.
However, CTS said total global volumes shipped declined 8 percent in February from January, a trend reflected worldwide. The analysts said, however, this is not a major cause for concern. “Not only is February a short month, but trade tends to stagnate at this time of the year because of the shutdown in production over the Lunar New Year holidays in Asia, which this year fell in January,” CTS said.
This explained the 2 percent drop in Asian imports in February compared to January, and a 25 percent decline in Asian exports in the same period, despite Asian imports rising 9 percent year-over-year and exports increasing 15.5 percent compared to February 2011.
“March should see a return to the normal flow,” CTS said.
Contact Mike King at michael@borderline.eu.com.
