Import cargo volume at the major retail container ports in US will post a 3.9% in December 2012 says the National Retail Federation.
The increase is expected despite a workers agitation that closed the west coast port complex in the first half of the month.
According to the Global Port Tracker compiled and published by the National Retail Foundation of the US actual figures for November 2012 showed a 5.6% decline year-on-year, primarily due to the West Coast strike.
The retailers in the country, however, continue to be wary of possible strikes on the Eastern and Gulf coasts which could hamper inventory and sales for the Christmas season.
Commenting on the developments NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold remarked that the numbers reflect the positive trend in the country’s retail sector that kicked off over Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
"Nonetheless, we narrowly avoided what could have been a long-term disruption with the strike in Los Angeles and Long Beach and don’t want to run that risk on the East Coast and Gulf Coast.
"NRF is continuing to urge labor, management and lawmakers to do whatever is necessary to keep our nation’s ports running smoothly," cautioned Gold.
