A quick glance into the Logistics Market - January 2013
Georgia Logistics complies a monthly set of facts and figures regarding the Logistics Markets. We selected a few facts to share with you :-
The U.S. GDP increased 1.8% in the third quarter 2011 according to the third preliminary estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The unemployment rate in America fell to 8.5% in December 2011, the lowest level since February 2009. Approximately 200,000 jobs were created in December.
The U.S. trade deficit increased by 10.4% in November to $43.5 billion. Exports decreased 0.9% to $177.8 billion and imports increased 1.3% to $225.6 billion.
Increased to 64.5 in December 2011 from 55.2 in November 2011. Consumer confidence has risen 23.6 points in the past two months, and was at its highest level in eight months.
Retail and food service sales rose in December to $400.6 billion, up 0.1% from the previous month, and up 6.5% from December 2010. Non-store retailer sales were up 10.6% from last year.
TRUCKING:
The ATA’s seasonally adjusted cargo index rose 0.3% in November after rising 0.5% in October. The for-hire truck tonnage index rose 6% year-over-year in November, following a 5.7% increase in October.
U.S. average diesel prices rose last week, to $3.38 per gallon. Last week’s average diesel price was 8¢ higher than the previous week, and was 29¢ higher than the same week last year. Average diesel prices in the lower Atlantic states were $3.38 per gallon.
The spot market for truckload freight in December fell 14% compared to the previous month, but was 25% higher year-over-year. Truck capacity rose 9% for the month, and was up 24% from year-over-year.
AIR FREIGHT:
In October, average international air cargo prices rose 14.7% over the previous month to the highest level since November 2010. Average air freight rates were down 4.4% year-over-year.
Global air freight in November fell 3.1% from one year ago and rose 1.1% from the previous month. North American air freight in November fell 0.8% year-over-year.
As of January 6, 2012, the global average jet fuel price was $126.8 per barrel; down 2.8% from the previous month, and 12.1% higher year-over-year.
OCEAN FREIGHT:
Import shipment volume, in TEUs, at U.S. ports decreased 8.2% in December from the previous month and increased 1.5% from the previous year. The total number of inbound shipments in November fell 6.5% from November and increased 2.3% from December 2010.
A new report shows that U.S. containerized trade with China is more than four times that of its trade with Japan, the second largest partner. Containerized trade with Chine increased 125% between 2003 and 2010, to $270.3 billion. In that period, trade with India grew by the biggest percentage, up 154% to $18.6 billion.
Import volume through major U.S. container ports should be nearly flat in January before rising later this spring. U.S. containerized imports are expected to rise 1.3% in the 1Q 2012 and should increase 2.8% for the year. Port Tracker estimates that total volumes will increase 10.5% in March 2012.
WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION:
The U.S. average industrial vacancy rate was 9.1% during Q4 2011, down from 9.2% in the previous quarter. Overall vacancy was 10.8% in the South and 14.5% in Atlanta during the fourth quarter.
Net absorption in the US during Q4 2011 totaled +27 million square feet. Absorption in the South led the regions with +12.4 million square feet. Atlanta led cities in the South and was second highest overall in the U.S. with over +2.7 million square feet absorbed in the 4Q.
The National PMI increased 1.2 points to 53.9 in December 2011. The December PMI has indicated expansion in the manufacturing sector for the 29th consecutive month. New orders increased 0.9 points to 57.6 and production increased 3.3 points to 59.9.
MULTIMODAL:
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Dow Jones Transportation index was up 5.4% during the month of December. |
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In November, the U.S. imported about $225.6 billion of cargo. November U.S. imports have increased 1.3% in terms of value over the previous month and grew 12.7% year-over-year. |
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Transportation employment increased more than 1.5% year-over-year in December, with rail employment up 3.9% and trucking up 3.2%. Transportation Industries added about 50,200 employees in December, accounting for 25.1% of the overall net employment gains added last month.
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