U.S. import shipment volume for July, measured in TEUs, increased 2.45 percent from June but decreased 4.10 percent from July of 2010, according to trade intelligence company Zepol Corporation. The total number of shipments also increased 3.49 percent from June while also showing a decrease of 3 percent from July of 2010. Year to date, total TEUs are up 3.30 percent this year over last year.

Key Statistics from this Month's Update:

1. While Europe, Central America, and South America showed a July decrease in TEUs of 0.72 percent, 4.17 percent, and 4.50 percent, respectively, the overall slight increase in TEUs can be credited to Asia's 3.81-percent increase. China, Hong Kong, and Japan, each within Asia, showed an increase in TEUs compared to the decrease seen in South Korea and Taiwan.

2. The Pacific, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic ports showed an increase of incoming shipments by 4.10 percent, 5.43 percent, and nearly 2 percent, respectively, directly opposite of their decreases last month. Within the Pacific ports, California showed an increase of about 4 percent while Washington showed a large increase of nearly 8 percent -- the highest number of incoming shipments (55,418) they've posted since January 2011.

3. Maersk Line, in keeping their number one carrier position, showed the highest number of recorded TEUs for the year at 114,888.72 in July. Coming in second, despite a decrease in TEUs approaching 2 percent, was APLU. Orient Overseas Container Line showed a large increase in TEUs of nearly 12 percent when compared to other carriers during July.

Methodology: Zepol's data is derived from Bills of Lading entered into the Automated Manifest System. This information represents the number of House manifests entered by importers of waterborne containerized goods. This is the earliest indicator for trade data available for the previous month's import activity. The data excludes shipments from empty containers, excludes shipments labeled as freight remaining on board, and may contain other data anomalies.

Source: Zepol Corporation