Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company, reports that U.S. import shipment volume for February, measured in TEUs, decreased 17.5% from January, and dropped 3.4% from February of 2011. Total inbound shipments are also down from January by 18.6% and from last February by 2.7%. For the past five years, the month of February tends to have the least amount of shipments and usually falls from January imports; this is partly due to its fewer number of days.

Key Statistics from this Month's Update:

' Japan had a spike of 22% and was one of the only Asian countries to rise in TEU imports for February. China dropped significantly from January imports by 29% and Taiwan also had a decrease of 20%. Total imports are down as well for South America by 6.2% with considerable drops in Brazil at 16% and Peru at 14%. European imports decreased in February by 7.8%, with most countries in the negative, with the exception of Germany, which showed an increase of 4.3%.

' The majority of U.S. ports saw plummets in TEU imports for the month of February. Prominent drops occurred in the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach which decreased 27% and 31% in imports, respectively. Only two of the top ten ports rose in February, the Port of Norfolk and the Port of Charleston, which increased 4% and 3% respectively.

For Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (VOCCs), the drop in TEU imports was witnessed by every top ten carrier in February, specifically Maersk Line which had a 21% decrease and Evergreen Line which fell 24%. The decrease in February imports is similar to February of 2011 where the majority of carriers had a steep lull in TEUs from January.