Europe container volume continue slide

 Westbound container volume from Asia to Europe fell 12 percent in March compared to the same month in 2008, according to data from the European Liner Affairs Association.

   Actual volume fell from 1.1 million TEUs to 963,000 TEUs for the month. In the first quarter of the year, volume plummeted 20 percent to 2.56 million TEUs, including a 32 percent drop in February.

   Eastbound Europe/Asia volume fell only 6 percent in March, and was down 15 percent for the first quarter to 1.08 million TEUs.

   Transatlantic volume also continued sharp falloffs. Westbound volume from Europe to North America fell 15 percent in March to 233,000 TEUs, with volume for the quarter down 17 percent to 628,000 TEUs. Eastbound, volume fell 29 percent in March, in line with the 30 percent drop-off for the first quarter, to 583,000 TEUs.

Source: American Shipper