Import cargo volume at U.S. ports is forecast to hit 1.4 million containers in November, down 12% from the record volume of 1.59 million containers that flowed through in both Sep. and Oct. as retailers rushed to bring merchandise in ahead of a possible shutdown of West Coast ports, according to the Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.With a standoff between the Intl. Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association over a new labor contract headed for its fifth month, the NRF has asked Pres. Obama send in a federal mediator to accelerate the negotiation process.
Based on current import volume estimates for October, November and December,2014 import cargo volume should reach a total of 17.3 million TEU, up 6.4% from 16.2 million TEU in 2013.
