Oceangoing containers, both import and export boxes, from the Port of Yokohama saw a decline last year mainly due to a decline in China cargo, according to the Japan International Freight Forwarders Association Inc. (JIFFA).
Overall the port handled 2,699,085TEU, a 1.5% fall, said JIFFA, with exports accounting for 1,430,546TEU, down 1.7%, and imports, 1,268,540TEU, down 1.3%.
Total exports and international shipments from Yokohama decreased 9.7% from a year earlier to 26.9 million tonnes in 2019, JIFFA. While imports were robust, surging 10.2% to 45.4 million tonnes. The total of exports and imports amounted to 72.5 million tonnes, swelling 1.9% and registering a year-on-year improvement for three consecutive years.
By destination, exports to China plunged 12.2% to 3 million tonnes, but it managed to be the leading destination of shipments from Yokohama, JIFFA added. Outbound containers to other economies were sluggish, with those to Thailand falling 6% to 1.28 million tonnes; to Mexico, down 14.9% to 816,000tonnes and to Taiwan, down 9% to 890,000tonnes. However, shipments to Vietnam saw a substantial increase, growing 9.5% to 780,000tonnes.
Imports, those from China and the US were both brisk, rising 3% to 7.15 million tonnes and 8.7% to 2.34 million tonnes, according to JIFFA. Meanwhile, imports from Thailand and Australia fell 2.4% to 1.7 million tonnes and 6.3% to 1.15 million tonnes.
