The Port of Yokkaichi in central Japan handled a total of 12,623 TEUs of loaded and empty containers in April, down 6.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY), according to preliminary figures released by the Yokkaichi Port Authority.
Exports fell 8 per cent to 6,914 TEUs, while imports declined 5.1 per cent to 5,709 TEUs. Full container exports dropped 8.3 per cent to 5,600 TEUs, and full imports decreased 10.8 per cent to 5,220 TEUs, bringing total full container throughput to 10,820 TEUs, down 9.5 per cent.
Empty container movements moved in the opposite direction, rising 14.4 per cent to 1,803 TEUs.
Cumulatively, from January to April, Yokkaichi handled 53,160 TEUs of containerised trade, up 3.2 per cent year on year. Exports totalled 28,585 TEUs, up 2.1 per cent, while imports increased 4.6 per cent to 24,575 TEUs.
READ: Japan ports throughput climbs to 1.21m TEUs
Full container flows over the four months showed mixed performance, with exports down 1.1 per cent to 23,409 TEUs, while imports rose 2.6 per cent to 22,963 TEUs, resulting in a marginal 0.7 per cent increase in total full container throughput to 46,372 TEUs.
Empty containers rose sharply over the same period, increasing 24.7 per cent to 6,788 TEUs, suggesting shifting repositioning activity across shipping lines serving the port.
The data points to a short-term softening in monthly volumes, offset by moderate year-to-date growth in containerised trade through the port.
