Stronger increases are expected to return in September as retailers begin to stock up for the holiday season, with volume forecast at 1.47 million TEUs, up 10 percent from last year. October is forecast at 1.53 million TEUs, up 18 percent, and November at 1.41 million TEUs, up 19 percent.
The first half of 2011 is estimated at 7.2 million TEUs, up 5 percent from the first half of 2010. Global Port Tracker said its current forecast of 6.2 percent growth to 15.7 million TEU forecast for 2011 “remains realistic under the circumstances.” Imports during 2010 totaled 14.7 million TEU, a 16 percent increase over 2009.
http://www.joc.com/container-shipping/national-retail-federation-forecasts-pickup-cargo-fall