European Ports and Freight Shippers Brace for the Japan Effect

“Japanese earthquake will begin to affect volumes later this month as dockside stockpiles are depleted and ships that left Tokyo soon after the disaster arrive in harbor…..Cargo volumes may hold up even after ships start to arrive in Europe as Japanese companies tap inventories to meet export demand, then will decline when reduced production depletes stocks. That may lead to lighter loads, quieter ports and manufacturers running short of auto-parts and electronics, the biggest classes of container goods carried from Japan.”

Full article – Bloomberg