Despite Hanjin bankruptcy Sept US retail imports strong

Despite the Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy, the National Retail Federation (NRF) expects import cargo volume at US major retail container ports to be at near peak levels in September, even as retailers work to cope with the situation. Hanjin the world’s seventh largest container shipper filed for bankruptcy a few days back, disrupting cargo movement.

NRF, the world’s largest retail trade body has written to the US secretary of commerce and the Federal Maritime Commission chairman, urging them to intervene with the South Korean government, ports and others to prevent disruption.

“Hanjin should not significantly affect volume for the month since alternative arrangements to unload those containers or shift cargo elsewhere should be dealt with by the time the numbers are tallied,” NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy Jonathan Gold said.

“But millions of dollars worth of merchandise is in limbo at the moment, and retailers are working hard to make sure it ends up on store shelves in time for the holidays,” Gold added.