U.S. import shipment volume for August, measured in TEUs, increased 8.21 percent from July but decreased 2.79 percent from August of 2010. The total number of shipments also increased almost 10 percent from July while also showing a decrease of 0.65 percent from August 2010. Year to date, total TEUs are up 2.35 percent this year over last year.

Key Statistics from this Month's Update:

1. Incoming shipments from Asia reached a new high for the year with shipments amounting to 604,374; surpassed only once in August 2010. Both Asia and Europe displayed large increases in shipments for August, rising 10.69 percent and 10.87 percent, respectively. Within Asia, China set the bar at 320,969 incoming shipments in August which was a near 11 percent increase from July 2011. Central America and South America also exhibited positive increases for the month of August.

2. All U.S. ports posted increases in incoming TEUs for August when compared to July. The Pacific ports reached 901,200 TEUs, the most since September 2010. The Mid-Atlantic ports recorded an impressive 12-percent increase in TEUs, mainly attributable to the combined 20.10-percent increase in the ports of New York, New York and Newark, New Jersey.

3. Despite a 0.30-percent decrease in TEUs since last month, Maersk Line maintains their number one carrier position. Behind them is APL, posting a 15.15-percent increase in TEUs from July 2011. Of the top 20 carriers, only 3 saw a decrease in TEUs; Maersk Line, Orient Overseas Container Line, and China Shipping Container Lines.

Zepol's data is derived from bills of lading entered into the Automated Manifest System.

Source: Zepol Corp.