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Retail Container Ports News

17 Jun 2022

Biden Signs Ocean Shipping Reform Act Into Law

President Biden at the Port of Los Angeles on June 10, 2022. (Photo: @POTUS / Twitter)

President Joe Biden on Thursday signed legislation to improve oversight of ocean shipping, which lawmakers say will help curb inflation and ease export backlogs.The bipartisan bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a 369-42 vote earlier this week. Biden said he had "promised to crack down on ocean carriers whose price hikes have hurt American families."The new law boosts the investigatory authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the U.S. agency that oversees ocean shipping…

14 Jun 2022

US House Passes Ocean Shipping Reform Act

© angeldibilio / Adobe Stock

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Monday to improve oversight of ocean shipping, which supporters say will help curb inflation and ease export backlogs. The bill was approved 369-42 and will head to the White House for President Joe Biden's signature. Biden said in a statement he looked forward to signing it into law.The bill would boost the investigatory authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the U.S. agency that oversees ocean shipping, and…

01 Apr 2022

US Senate Approves Bill to Ease Export Shipping Backlogs

© jdoms / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill to improve oversight of ocean shipping, a step supporters say will help ease export backlogs.The Ocean Shipping Reform Act, led by Senators John Thune and Amy Klobuchar, would strengthen the investigatory authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the U.S. agency that oversees ocean shipping, and boost transparency of industry practices.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the legislation "will reduce costs for the American people…

15 Mar 2022

White House Aims to Boost Supply Chain Information Sharing

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The White House on Tuesday unveiled a new pilot effort to help clear supply chain bottlenecks at congested U.S. ports by getting truckers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers and other businesses to share information.U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese launched the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW), an information sharing initiative "to pilot key freight information exchange between parts of the goods movement…

10 Dec 2021

US Retail Imports Grow at Record Pace Despite Pandemic

© MichaelVi / Adobe Stock

Imports at the United States’ major retail container ports are expected to end 2021 with both the largest volume and fastest growth on record despite supply chain disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.“This has been an unprecedented year,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy. “We’ve seen more disruption than ever before because of issues along every step of the supply chain and continued strong consumer demand…

15 Jun 2021

NRF Asks White House to Address Port Congestion Challenges

© Debbie Ann Powell / Adobe Stock

A retail trade group is asking President Joe Biden and other top administration officials to help address challenges retailers are facing from continued supply chain disruptions that are leading to congestion at U.S. ports.“The supply chain disruption issues, especially the congestion affecting our key maritime ports, are causing significant challenges for America’s retailers,” National Retail Federation president and CEO Matthew Shay said in a letter to the White House. “The…

09 Apr 2020

​​​​March Cargo Imports Tumble at Top US Seaports

© Greatbass / Adobe Stock

March imports dropped 26% at the Port of Los Angeles and 5% at the adjacent Port of Long Beach - the busiest U.S. sea trade gateways - as the novel coronavirus wrecked havoc on commerce around the globe.Imports at major U.S.

08 Aug 2019

Retail Imports at Near-Record Levels Despite Tariffs

AdobeStock / © nightman 1965

Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to continue at near-record levels this month and the remainder of the year despite a new round of tariffs on goods from China, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“Even with virtually everything American imports from China soon to be subject to tariffs, it isn’t quick or easy for retailers to change their supply chains,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

08 Mar 2019

Imports at Annual Low on Seasonal Lull, Tariff Worries

File Image: CREDIT AdobeStock / © Nightman 1965

With the retail industry in its annual lull between seasons and plans for a tariff increase on hold, imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to drop to their lowest level in almost a year this month, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“Now that the holiday season is over and summer has yet to crank up, this is the quiet time of year for retail supply chains,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

11 Jun 2018

US Container Imports to Hit Record: NRF

Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to set record numbers this summer and fall even as the debate over trade and tariffs continues in Washington, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released  by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.“Consumers are buying more and that means retailers are importing more,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Imports continue to be the primary source of high-quality, mass-produced necessities at affordable prices and will be for the foreseeable future. If tariffs are imposed on consumer goods, that…

09 Feb 2017

US Imports Growing in First Half of 2017

File photo: Port of Los Angeles

Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to increase 4.6 percent during the first half of 2017 over the same period last year as the nation’s economy improves and retail sales continue to grow, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “This is very much in line with what we are forecasting for retail sales and consumer spending this year,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Retailers try to balance inventories very carefully with demand.

09 Jan 2017

US Holiday Imports Exceed Expectations

© Irina Logra / Adobe Stock

Imports at the United States’ major retail container ports saw an unexpected increase during the industry’s busy holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. “We won’t see final sales numbers for a few more days, but import volume suggests that retailers had a strong holiday season,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. Ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.64 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) in November…

09 Dec 2016

US Imports Up as Holiday Shopping Continues

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Imports at the United States’ major retail container ports are expected to be up 3.2 percent this month over the same time last year as stores bring in the last of the merchandise for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “There’s still shopping to be done, and retailers are making sure the gifts that need to be under a tree are waiting on the shelves,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

09 Sep 2016

Hanjin Gets US Court Order, Cash to Unload Ships

File photo: Hanjin

A U.S. judge said on Friday he will grant Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd provisional protection from creditors in the United States, enabling some vessels to dock and unload at U.S. ports. South Korea's Hanjin asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Sherwood to issue an order that would prevent creditors from seizing Hanjin ships or property, and allow cargo owners to make arrangements to retrieve goods stranded in warehouses. Sherwood said he would sign the order later on Friday. Earlier, the company received authority to spend the money needed to dock at U.S.

09 Sep 2016

September US Retail Imports Strong

File photo: Port of Los Angeles

Import cargo volume at the US’ major retail container ports should be at near-peak levels this month even as retailers work to cope with the Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “Hanjin should not significantly affect volume for the month since alternative arrangements to unload those containers or shift cargo elsewhere should be dealt with by the time the numbers are tallied,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

09 Aug 2016

US Retail Imports Turn Toward Holiday Season

Port of Savannah (Photo: Georgia Ports Authority)

August should be the busiest month of the year for import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports now that retailers have stocked up for back-to-school and are getting a head start on holiday season merchandise. That’s according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, which said cargo volume for 2016 should end the year with a 1.6 percent increase over last year. “Shoppers are right in the middle of buying back-to-school products but the retail supply chain is already preparing for the holiday season…

09 Jun 2016

US Retail Import Patterns Still Uneven

File photo: Port of Los Angeles

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be mostly down through the summer but should see a significant uptick just before the winter holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “The unusual patterns seen last year in the aftermath of the West Coast ports slowdown are continuing to make valid year-over-year comparisons difficult,” said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, Jonathan Gold.

08 Apr 2016

US Imports Rise Steady after 2015 Rollercoaster

File photo: Northwest Seaport Alliance

Import cargo volume at the United States’ major retail container ports has begun its annual climb toward summer levels but is expected to be largely flat when compared with last year’s record high numbers, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “Last year was a roller coaster but this year we’re expecting a nice, steady climb right through the summer,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

08 Jan 2016

Retail Imports Wind Down After End of Holiday Season

Jon Gold (Photo: NRF)

With the holiday season over, import cargo volume at major U.S. retail container ports is expected to slowly decline through the first quarter of the year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “This is the time of year when the retail supply chain catches its breath before the next big rush begins,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. Ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.48 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in November…

08 Dec 2015

Holiday Merchandise Supply and Demand: ‘Final Balancing Act’

Jon Gold (Photo: NRF)

Import cargo volume at the United States' major retail container ports is expected to be essentially unchanged from last year this month as stores bring in the last round of merchandise for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “The holiday season is well under way and merchants are doing the final balancing act of matching supply to demand,” said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold.

09 Oct 2015

Retailers Well Stocked as Holidays Approach

Photo: Alex Sergienko

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.3 percent this month over the same time last year as retailers make final preparations for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “The holidays are almost here, and retailers are ready,” said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold. The cargo report comes a day after NRF forecast 3.7 percent growth in holiday sales this year over 2014.

09 Sep 2015

US Imports Climb Ahead of Holiday Season

Photo: Port of Los Angeles

Retailers eying the approaching holiday season is expected to spur a 1.2 percent increase in import cargo volume at the United States’ major retail container ports month over the same time last year as season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. “After supply chain worries earlier this year, inventories are plentiful this fall,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

08 Jul 2015

US Imports Rising Ahead of Back to School Season

Photo: Port of Los Angeles

Import cargo volume at the United States’ major retail container ports is expected to increase 7.3 percent this month over the same time last year as retailers stock up for the busy back-to-school season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. “Now that West Coast ports have recovered from the congestion caused by the recently settled contract dispute, retailers are focused on the back-to-school season to ensure that parents can find the supplies and clothing their children need for the fall…