The volumes of importing containers in the United States reached an unexpected peak early this year, according to the Ocean Teus (IOS) size index. This early climax, which occurs in early July, almost a month before the typical shipping season of the climax, reflects changing shipping behaviors amid a continuous trade war.
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IOTI, a 14 -day average index of 14 -day Control (TEU) containers (TEU) that reaches the United States ports, has reached the highest multi -year level of 2,356 after July 4. This number is approximately 4 % higher than the peak last year. However, this increase in size does not necessarily mean to order the strongest goods. It is possible to refer to the recovery of the previous turbulence caused by cost -cost tariffs on Chinese imports, which led to a 15 % decrease in IOTI during the month of May.
As the customs tariff that currently stopped and expired in August, the importers resumed an order to compensate for the previous delay and prepare for the high demand. The broader economic impact on the trade war is still not certain, as it has already affected consumer and business confidence indexes. According to data from Indexbox, the recession of the private sector’s employment in June, and the reduction of retail sales in May, raising fears of economic weakness in the last half of the year.
Inventory levels showed an irregular but ascending trend since last summer, but the costs of inventory rose faster due to the customs tariff and the increase in warehouse expenses. This may lead to pent -up import volumes, as companies weigh the cost of keeping stocks in exchange for waiting for more stable conditions. Maritime transport companies also adapt to the most expected domain demand, as evidenced by early signs of empty sailing and a height of rejected shipments in the TEU rejection index in the ocean.
Despite the early peak in imports, surface transportation may not weaken in the second half of the year. High stock costs may lead to more size inventory lists, which may lead to more final minute orders and put additional pressure on transportation networks to remain graceful.
Source: Indexbox Market Intelligence
