European Container Exports On The Up .

Container exports from Europe in February increased on all the main trade routes compared with January, and were also higher than in the same month a year ago.

And imports into Europe were down on all trades except from South America, which increased by 2.5%.

The latest data from Container Trade Statistics (CTS) shows that February volumes from Asia to Europe were down overall by 37% to 830,600teu compared with January, and 11.9% down on the previous year.

Traffic from Europe to Asia grew 2.3% on January to 459,500teu, up 1.6% year on year.

Meanwhile, rates on Asia-Europe continued to decline. CTS’s eastbound February price index, which uses the average rate for 2008 as a base figure of 100, was 90, following an index of 93 in January – its eighth consecutive month of decline.

Westbound, the index declined for the sixth month in succession, registering 95 in February.

Volumes from India and the Middle East to Europe declined 3.5% on January, but increased 9% year on year. Exports increased 1.4% month on month and 7% year on year.

Imports from South and Central America were 15% up on a year ago and European exports to South America were up 4% in February compared with January and just under 20% year on year.

Exports from Europe to North America increased by 9%, but imports fell 0.4% in February compared with January. Volumes in both directions remain 4-5% up on a year ago.

Source : ifw-net.com