2024 Top 100 Importers & Exporters
Like other shippers , exporters of recyclables are contending with what they feel are unreasonable detention and demurrage charges , unreliable information from ocean carriers and railroads on the earliest return date ( ERD ) for delivery of their containers to marine terminals and rail yards , and unreliable vessel schedules , said Hayden Swofford , independent administrator of the Pacific Northwest Asia Shippers
Recyclables
EXPORTS
1,373,156 TEUS
↑6.9 %
Change from 2022
↓1.5 %
5-year compound annual growth rate
Active Minerals International
Advanced Steel Recovery Alco Iron and Metal KaMin Sappi North America Schnitzer Steel Sims Metal Management
Association .
Swofford said he has seen “ no significant progress ” by carriers on improving the accuracy of ERDs , while Halper said ERDs are a constantly moving target .
“ It ’ s as bad as or worse than I have ever seen ,” Halper said .
On the other hand , recyclables exporters say they have generally been able to deal with the logistical issues that have arisen from the drought-induced draft limitations at the Panama Canal and vessel diversions away from the Suez Canal due to hostilities in the Red Sea .
Likewise , the equipment shortages that many
Recyclables exports slumping in early 2024 after 2023 rebound
Monthly containerized US recyclables exports , in laden TEUs , with year-over-year percentage change
TEU volume
120,000
107,939 100,000
80,000 100,000 60,000
40,000
20,000
Source : PIERS , S & P Global exporters experienced in 2021 – 22 when carriers turned down low-paying exports because they preferred to quickly ship empty containers to Asia to be refilled with higher-paying merchandise shipments for US consumers , have not been an issue in 2023 and early 2024 , Halper said .
“ This definitely sets the table for export opportunities ,” he said . “ I hope to see a bit of an increase in exports to get our market back to balance .”
email : bill . mongelluzzo @ spglobal . com
30 % 30 %
20 %
-30 10 %
-10 %
0 -20%
Jan L 2022 Apr Jul Oct Jan 2023 Apr
Jul Aug , 2023 Oct Jan 2024
TEU Year-over-year % change
0 %
Year-over-year % change
© 2024 S & P Global
Recyclables exports fell 14.9 % in the first two months of 2024 after a 6.9 % increase in 2023 . Vic tor / Shutterstock . com
52 Journal of Commerce | May 20 , 2024 www . joc . com