Retail Therapy Needed

摘要

Imports handled at the US's largest container ports are forecast to have declined by 5.2 to approximately 18.6 million TEU in 2008, according to Port Tracker analysts. And a further slump is predicted in 2009, with volumes falling 5.6 to 17.5 million TEU. The main reason for the slump in inbound containerised traffic is the sharp reduction in imports for the retail industry from Asia, particularly China. Currently, the nation accounts for 43 of all imports. 'In the first 11 months of 2008, Chinese exports to the US declined by 6.6 compared with the same period in 2007,' said Andrei Roudoi, the international trade forecasting manager for consulting firm IHS Global Insight.