Asia exported 1.325 million TEU to the US in August, an increase of five per cent year on year and exceeding the 1.3 million-TEU mark for the first time since September 2007.

According to a report released by the Japan Maritime Centre (JMC), from January to August, a total of 9.6 million TEU was moved on the trade, up 5.6 per cent year on year.

It is expected housing and consumption in the US will continue to experience high demand after September, keeping containerised shipments from Asia from decreasing severely.

As such, the JMC projects that a new record will be set this year, if a monthly average of 1.2 million TEU is maintained, said the Japan International Freight Forwarders Association.

The JMC said exports from Japan swelled 4.2 per cent from a year earlier to 54,000 TEU in August, enjoying a year-on-year increase for the seventh consecutive month.

Exports from China rose 4.2 per cent to 878,000 TEU in August, thanks to increases in electric appliances and other goods.

There were 3.9 per cent more containers - 914,000 TEU - from mainland China and Hong Kong. South Korean volume rose eight per cent to 63,000 TEU and Taiwan traffic was up 16.6 per cent to 51,000 TEU.

Shipments from Southeast Asia increased year on year for six consecutive months, growing 6.3 per cent to an all-time high of 172,000 TEU, the JMC said. Those from Vietnam also improved for six straight months, soaring 16.4 per cent to 64,000 TEU.

The JMC report indicated that exports from southern Asia improved 7.9 per cent year on year in August to a record 70,000 TEU. Those from India were a major driving force, surging 13.6 per cent to 49,000 TEU.