By Christian Sivière
Every month ‘’Container Trade Statistics Ltd’’ publishes the data on North-America’s containerized exports and the July 2013 statistics demonstrate the supremacy of the Asian market, with Europe coming a distant second, closely followed by South & Central America.
North American containerized exports to Asia reached 628,300 teus* this July, up 6.2% from June 2013 (but down 1.2% from July 2012). Export volumes totalled 4,501,000 teus during the first seven months of 2013, 4.2% lower than the same period in 2012. July 2013 exports from North America to Europe edged up 0.5% from June (and 0.8% year-over-year) to 217,400 teus. In the first seven months of 2013, exports to Europe increased 1.9% compared to the same period in 2012, to 1,593,000 teus
North American exports to South and Central America reverted to year-over-year increases, after exports fell in June for the first time since February. Volume reached 179,800 teus in July, up 4.3% from June. In the first seven months of 2013, exports on this lane edged up 0.1% year-over-year to 1,181,600 teus.
Containerized exports from North America to the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East reached 89,700 teus, a 4,4% decrease compared to June 2013 (but a 2.5% increase year-over-year). Through July 2013, exports from North America tothe region rose 3.8% from the level of the same period in 2012, reaching 642,400 teus.
Trade from North America to sub-Saharan Africa rose 6.6% in July compared to June 2013, totalling 32,100 teus (but this represented a 2.4% year-over-year decrease). For the first seven months of 2013, exports from North America to sub-Saharan Africa were up 0.7% from the same seven months in 2012, reaching 212,800 teus.
Containerized trade from North America to Oceania increased 4.1% in July compared to June, reaching 25,600 teus (but this was down 1.2% compared to July 2012). Exports from North America to the region through July 2013 totalled 178,300 teus, down 0.9% year-over-year.
The recent trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union should logically translate into increased exports to Europe and may modify the balance with Asia somewhat.
*teu = 20 foot equivalent unit, the standard unit of measure in container transport, relating to the size of containers (the small ones are 20ft long and the larger ones 40ft long)
Christian Sivière Accredited Trainer and Lecturer for the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (Ciffa) Tel : 514 652 2557 Christian.siviere@videotron.ca All Rights Reserved October 2013 Source: Container Trade Statistics Ltd
