The westbound transpacific trade has endured a rollercoaster ride over the past year and a half - its dramatic rise in cargo volumes throughout the first three quarters of 2008 contrasts sharply with the sharp decline since. Volumes are now at a nadir.rnThe Journal of Commerce's (JoC) PIERS data illustrates the yo-yo in cargo levels that has taken place. In 2008, volumes westbound swelled by 9.2% (up to 5.72 million TEU), compared to 2007. In contrast, east-bound flows fell 8.7% (see table).rnBut during Q4 09, cargo volumes started to fall and a dramatic decline has since taken place. PIERS data, for instance, reveals a collapse from the high point registered in 02 08 of 1.56 million TEU to 1.13 million TEU in Q4 08, a decline of 27.4% (see table).
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