Quiet US ports spark slowdown fears as imports fall

© Khunaspix Dreamstime.

High inventory levels and weak demand are to blame for a fall in imports at the US’s three busiest ports, say industry analysts. LA, Long Beach and New York saw imports fall 10% between August and October ? a season traditionally associated with a surge in volumes. This WSJ article examines whether this is a “short-term hiccup, or the “start of a sustained period of weakness”. However, FedEx and Amazon are predicting a record holiday season.