Port Tracker reports solid volumes even though West Coast port labor situation remains muddled

摘要

On the heels of record-breaking volumes in September and October, the most recent edition of the Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and maritime consultancy Hackett. Associates expects import cargo volumes at U.S.-based retail container ports to slow down in November. As previously reported, the heavy September and October volumes were spurred on by various factors, including a combination of increasing congestion at ports; the lack of a new labor contract between the Pacific Maritime Associa-tion and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) having an impact on West Coast port operations; and improving consumer confidence that subsequently resulted in strong volumes as retailers made sure that they were prepared for the holiday shopping season.