U.S. container import volume unexpectedly rose slightly in September compared to the previous month, contrary to the typical decline seen in the last third of the year, according to the latest Global Shipping Report released by Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq: DSGX) (TSX:DSG) on Monday.

U.S. container import volumes in September increased by 0.3% compared to August, reaching a total of 2,203,452 TEUs. Compared to September 2022, TEU volume was slightly lower by 0.6%, but marked an increase of 8.0% from the pre-pandemic September 2019 levels.

The growth in import volume over the first nine months of 2023 is now within 2.5% of the same period in 2019.

Descartes’ report highlights that imports from China saw a notable increase, contributing to a larger share of Chinese imports in the total U.S. imports. Interestingly, despite the rise in volume, port transit times for the top West Coast ports remained close to their lowest levels since Descartes began tracking them. However, the top East and Gulf Coast ports experienced extended transit times.

While the Panama drought does not seem to be impacting U.S. container import volume, it has led to increased transit times. According to the logistics metrics tracked by Descartes, there are some deviations from the 2019 results and indications that certain key challenges to global supply chain performance in 2023 have stabilized, while others have not.

Commenting on the unexpected increase, Chris Jones, EVP Industry Descartes, stated, “The September increase in U.S. container imports defies the traditional fall decline observed over the past six years, and imports from China played a significant role in these results. While the Panama drought does not seem to be affecting Gulf Coast port volumes, port transit times are beginning to extend.”

Descartes’ report coincides with the latest data from the National Retail Federation, which revealed that September imports are projected at 1.94 million TEUs, a slight decrease from the 1.96 TEUs imported in August. It is important to note that the NRF’s figures for September are not yet final.

“Considering the growing demands of China-made automobile from Southeast Asia, Cosco Shipping Car Carriers and Cosco Shipping Specialized Carriers have jointly conduct market research in Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore to further develop the ASEAN market,” according to Cosco Shipping Car Carriers.

During the first five months, China exported 69,100 units of automobile to Thailand, posting a substantial growth rate of 140%. Launching of the newly upgraded service will provide a solid support for automobile transportation in the ASEAN area.

Published jointly by Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, and global maritime data provider, Baltic Exchange, the report lists Singapore as the global leading maritime center, followed by London and Shanghai.

The island nation scored 95.32 out of a possible 100 points, while the maritime support services powerhouse of London scored 83.35 points and the port-city of Shanghai takes third place with 81.58 points.

Singapore has retained its position due to its strategic location, international outlook, and established ecosystem of professional global maritime services and good governance, according to the Baltic Exchange.

London and Shanghai have retained their positions of second and third place within the Index for the past four years.

Further down the top 10, there was little movement as Hong Kong, Dubai, Rotterdam, and Hamburg take fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place, respectively.

New York and its New Jersey port dropped by two places from eighth place last year, to 10th place this year while Athens/Piraeus moved up by one place.

A relative newcomer to the Index, Ningbo-Zhoushan, sits at number nine. The Chinese city’s ranking amongst the top 10 is primarily due to it being the busiest port in the world in terms of cargo tonnage.

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A total of 43 maritime locations were rated as part of this report, which considers port factors including cargo throughput, number of cranes, length of container berths and port draught.

Hapag-Lloyd announced a General Rate Increase (GRI) / General Rate Adjustment (GRA) from the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent to the United States East Coast and Gulf Coast for cargo transported in 20’ and 40’ dry, reefer and special containers, including high cube equipment.

This rate increase of US$200 per container will be applicable to all types of boxes from 1 November and will be valid until further notice.

Middle East and Indian Subcontinent include India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq.

The Iranian Navy has recently seized two foreign vessels on charges of fuel smuggling, carrying approximately 1.5 million liters of oil. These seizures occurred earlier in the week.

The vessels in question were taken to the Mahshahr port, where authorities detained 37 crew members. The crewmembers have been handed over to judicial authorities for further legal proceedings.

Adm. Mohammad-Sharif Shirali, deputy commander of the IRGC Navy's Third Naval Zone, was quoted by the Iranian Tasmin News Agency, explaining that these vessels were apprehended while attempting to smuggle oil and gas from the Islamic Republic within the Persian Gulf. He mentioned that the vessels had been under close surveillance for the past two days, and the seizure was executed in accordance with judicial orders.

This incident is not the first time Iran has intercepted fuel-carrying vessels on smuggling charges within the Persian Gulf. A notable recent case involved the Bahamas-flagged oil tanker RICHMOND VOYAGER, which was seized after colliding with an Iranian vessel in the Sea of Oman in July.

“As we seek to grow our legacy ports & terminals business, we are also working to significantly enhance our capabilities within the fuller spectrum of supply chain solutions – from landside logistics and warehousing to freight forwarding and industrial parks,” Glenn Hilton, CEO & Managing Director, Asia Pacific for DP World, tells Seatrade Maritime News. This dovetails with a global ambition to become an end-to-end logistics provider.

DP World has terminals in Laem Chabang in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Manila and Batangas in the Philippines. It is also growing a presence in Indonesia with projects and terminals in Belawan in Sumatra and Gresik in Java, which we covered in more detail here.

Across it’s Asia – Pacific portfolio of 18 terminals in Asia – Pacific DP World saw 3.1% volume growth in the first half of 2023 – this compared to a 2% decline for its global terminal business as a whole.

Hilton says they continue to be optimistic about their Asian terminals business and Southeast Asia highlights growth in the Philippines.

 “For example, our Batangas and Manila ports, which are managed by Asian Terminals Incorporated where DP World is a shareholding partner, handled a consolidated container throughput of over 384,000 TEU in the first quarter of 2023, representing 19.8% year-on-year growth,” he says.

“The Port of Batangas is the Philippines’ busiest container, passenger and car carrier port and a key link with the Asia-Europe trade corridor.”

In 2021 DP World set-up in Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore which Hilton notes is a “regional point of convergence” for its business partners. Focus is on working with these partners on logistics and supply chain in specific verticals.

“Within Southeast Asia, DP World is on the lookout for suitable opportunities to help streamline the flow of trade, especially for the automotive, technology, health and consumer goods sectors. Our strategy in the region is centered on providing customers with integrated solutions and servicing new markets,” he says.

One such partnership is a majority stake DP World acquired in Korean multi-modal transport specialist UNICO in 2020, which operates in 20 countries. “UNICO’s strong position in the fast-growing transcontinental rail freight market between East Asia, Central Asia and Russia is aligned with DP World’s strategy to bolster its logistics capabilities and expand within APAC and Europe,” Hilton explains.