US imports measured in TEUs grew in January 13.4 per cent from December and a further 5.8 per cent year on year, according to trade intelligence company, Zepol.
    According to data taken from Bills of Lading entered into the Automated Manifest System, used by US Customs, total inbound shipments were up 12 per cent from December and 6.4 per cent from January of last year. The increase in January 2012 is similar to the significant rise from December to January in 2011, but unlike 2010 and 2009, when both months saw a decrease.
    Imports from China increased by 20 per cent from January to December while Japanese imports were down by 11.7 per cent. The total number of TEU for Asia was up 17 per cent, according to Minnesota-based Zepol.
    European imports were up three per cent in January with a robust spike from Spain, up 12 per cent, and Turkey, up 34 per cent from December.
    The port of Los Angeles recorded the highest number of container imports handled the most, an increase of 12.5 per cent rise, the port of Savannah increased 26 per cent and Seattle 19 per cent. The remaining ports in the US top 10 saw jump in TEU import volumes.
Every top carrier experienced rises in shipments with Danish giant Maersk Line up 17.5 per cent in January 2012 and APL in an increase of 22 per cent was able to recoup its 13 per cent decrease month-on-month from November to December. Geneva-based MSC experienced the same decline from November to December, but rose in January by 13.5 per cent following a common trend for US imports.

(source:shipping online)