Supply Chain Research

U.S. international trade activity has continued to expand in February with imports of containerized freight having increased by 10.2% year over year in the first half of the month. That was somewhat slower than the 15.7% expansion seen in January but still means pressure on logistics networks, where elevated demand has driven port congestion, continues. The expansion is led by shipments from China, while imports from Asia ex-China only rose by 0.7% in February compared to a 16.0% rise in January. At the industry level increased demand for consumer discretionary products is the key driver...