US imports from Asia pass 8 million TEUs

Last year, container cargoes exported to the US from Asia hit 8 million TEUs, an increase of 20%.

An official at the Korea Shipowner’s Association revealed Feb. 18 that container cargoes from Asia recorded 8.585 million TEUs last year for a 20.2% increase over the same period of the previous year. This is first time to break the 8 million TEU level, he added.

Especially, Chinese export cargoes from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao took the lion’s share, 63.5% or 5.44 million TEUs out of total Asian cargoes. China recorded 4.11 million TEUs or a 27.9% increase over the same period of the previous year and Hong Kong enjoyed a 26.7% growth to 1.27 million TEUs while Macao saw an 85.3% increase to 59,000 TEUs.

However, Japan suffered from a downturn, exporting a mere 0.1% increase to 735,000 TEUs.

Korea enjoyed a 13.1% increase to 516,000 TEUs and Taiwan recorded 628,000 TEUs for a 9.8% increase. Singapore saw 86,000 TEUs.

An insider at the Korea Shipowners’ Association said, “China is rising as the main port for Northeast Asia based on sharp increases in its economy. We have to enhance our competitiveness through strategic support and spurring on development at Busan New Port and Gwangyang port.”