Expeditors International of Washington : Shipping Experts Forecast Improved Peak Season In 2012
03/28/2012| 02:20pm US/Eastern
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By Bob Sechler
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Speakers at a Port of Long Beach conference Wednesday voiced optimism regarding this year's peak shipping season, after several years of flat to muted peak seasons.
Daniel R. Wall, a senior vice president at Expeditors International of Washington Inc. (EXPD), said a recent survey of his company's customers showed that 55% expect to import more goods through West Coast ports this year than last, largely because of anticipated better sales.
Expeditors is a freight-forwarder that arranges transport for companies that need to move cargo.
Wall, speaking at the event in California, also said much of the volume is expected to come in the September-to-October period, which corresponds to a traditional peak season.
Retailers typically have ramped up imports from July through October in advance of back-to-school shopping and the holidays, but in recent years the critical time for shippers has fallen victim to the soft economy.
Walter Kemmsies, chief economist at Moffatt & Nichol, said during Wednesday's event that he also expects an improved peak this year, noting among other things that the U.S. has been leading the global recovery.
"Towards the end of this year, things should feel a lot better" in terms of the economy, barring an unforeseen geopolitical shock, he said.
-By Bob Sechler, Dow Jones Newswires; 512-258-1690; bob.sechler@dowjones.com
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