News / US imports hit new records in 2017, but ocean carrier indiscipline depresses rates

Despite US import volumes breaking new records last year, ocean carriers’ pricing indiscipline drove spot rates down by 30%.

According to the latest monthly Global Port Tracker (GPT) report, US imports are expected to show a 7% jump in 2017 over the previous year, to reach 20.1m teu, on the back of a “strong year” for retailers.

The report, published by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, said the major US ports handled 1.74m teu in November, up 5.8% on the same month ...