Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company, reports that U.S. import shipment volume for April, measured in TEUs, increased 7.95% from March and 5.68% from April of 2010. The total number of shipments also increased 7.25% from March and nearly 6% from April of 2010. Year to date, total TEUs are up 7.74% this year over last year.

Key Statistics from this Month's Update:

  • Shipments departing from ports in Asia took a sharp upward turn in April, increasing 13.57% from March. Shipments from China in particular contributed greatly to this increase, exhibiting a rise of 27%. Conversely, shipments originating from South America and Europe took a downward turn, decreasing 10.48% and 6.58% respectively from March.
  • West coast ports saw a large influx of shipments in April, not surprising news as shipments from Asia were up. The Port of Long Beach saw a noteworthy increase, posting their highest number of imports, measured in shipments, for the year (126,874 shipments).

Evergreen Line carried a record amount of TEUs for the year in April, increasing TEUs by 30.56% from March. While the majority of carriers exhibited a decrease of TEUs from Japan for April, Evergreen Line saw an increase, up 14.26% from March and 2.23% from last April.