Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company,reports that U.S. import shipment volume for November, measured in TEUs, decreased 2.12% from October and increased 0.17% from November of 2010. The total number of inbound shipments decreased 1.73% from October and increased 0.27% from November of last year. Year to date, total TEUs are up 1.00% this year over last year.

Key Statistics from this Month's Update:

  • Imports from China decreased for the third consecutive month in November, while imports from Indonesia increased for the second consecutive month. TEU imports from Europe decreased over 3% from October to November, mostly due to lower imports from Germany, Belgium, and Spain. South America, on the other hand, posted an increase in TEUs of nearly 4% from October; a key contributor to the increase was Brazil, which saw an 8% increase.
  • Imports into the Port of Los Angeles decreased over 6% while imports into the Port of Long Beach increased over 14% from October. Of the top 10 U.S. ports for November, four posted increases from October.

Maersk Line, the number one master carrier, decreased inbound TEU imports by 5% from October to November, after posting a 13% jump in the previous month. Mediterranean Shipping Company, ranked second, saw imports rise for the third consecutive month.