U.S. container imports fell 19.4% in November to 1.9 million Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) compared with the same month in 2021, according to global trade and shipping data from Descartes Datamyne. It is the first time in almost two years that volumes have...
Descartes Datamyne global trade data shows merchandise imports cresting in May for the second year in a row, well ahead of the traditional August-October peak shipping season. Consumers are expected to spend more on holiday shopping, but they are spending earlier on...
As national governments supercharge the drive toward electrification, the scramble to secure supplies of Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries is fueling major investments in mines, factories, and R&D. Global trade data is capturing signs of shifting cross-border supply...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is calling for more diversity in global value chains as a means to boost supply chain resilience. Meanwhile, Descartes Datamyne trade data confirms the point that diversification reduces losses to supply disruptions. Moreover, our...
The Covid-19 pandemic has played havoc with global trade flows, as consumers have displayed an increased need for goods while manufacturing struggles to meet demand. The system for moving those products has been under unprecedented stress for months, and its weak...
U.S. import volumes continued to run at a record pace in November 2021. Despite this overall success, retail inventories are not catching up to pre-pandemic levels as a percentage of sales. The ultimate takeaway: as long as the high demand for goods continues in 2022,...
Surging imports into the U.S. towards the end of the year typically ring up holiday cheer for distributors, retailers and other businesses. But with many ports, especially those along the western seaboard, experiencing severe and sustained congestion, higher volumes...
Reviewing the logistics or economic metrics may lead you to think that your days are on repeat. U.S. Import data continues to show that the end to the global shipping crisis is not yet on the horizon. For this month’s review, we’re adopting a more holistic approach by...
Market watchers who bet on a post-pandemic commodities supercycle are looking like the smart money. Resurgent demand chasing short supply is driving prices to premium levels across global markets. Among the hottest sectors, metals saw prices take off from March lows...
When in the midst of a challenging journey, most of us check the progress we are making, however slow, by looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. As part of Descartes’ ongoing update on the global shipping crisis, we will examine key logistics and economic...
