Q1/2021 in NWAC ports exceptionally strong
Maritime consultant Sea-Intelligence from Copenhagen has analysed volume developments in North America’s largest ports on the West Coast in Q1/2021.
All growth rates were exceptionally strong in comparison to the same period last year. Laden imports, empty exports, and total handled volumes all recorded double-digit growth in each of the three months. In March 2021, laden imports grew by 37.5%, empty exports grew by significant 79.5%, and total handled volumes surged by 32%.
CEO Alan Murphy points out that Q1/2020 was "impacted by the seasonal Chinese New Year demand drop and the coronavirus outbreak in China, but less so by the global pandemic which only came to the fore in late March 2020."
Also the comparison of Q1/2021 with Q1/2019 - in a "normal year" - shows sharp growth, with laden imports growing by 20.4% and total handled volumes growing by 15.6% compared to the respective quarters in the two years. (cd) www.sea-intelligence.com