According to MANA cited by Global Port Tracker report, imports volume is forecast at 1.67m teu in August, down 0.4% compared with the same period last year. September is predicted at 1.62m teu, down 0.2%.
The report shows major box ports handled 1.63m teu of imports in July, the latest month for which the numbers are available. That was up 3.2% from June and up 0.7% from July 2015.
The report predicts volumes in October to see a 5.3% year-on-year surge to reach 1.63m teu. November volume is estimated at 1.53m teu, up 3.8%, and December at 1.49m teu, up 3.6%.
Import cargo volumes are expected to grow 2.8% in January 2017 to 1.53m teu, according to the report.