Welcome to the new Global Port Tracker: North American Trade Outlook

Developed by Hackett Associates with sponsorship from the National Retail Federation (NRF). 

The North American edition of the Global Port Tracker replaces the Port Tracker formerly produced by IHS Global Insight which ceased publication at the end of 2009.The format has been significantly changed, creating a new style newsletter.   It  provides a 6-month rolling forecast of imports for the 11 major container ports and may expand to include Prince Rupert Island and Halifax. The forecast methodology performed uses the same concept as the model developed by IHS Global Insight.

It will also include a four quarter rolling forecast to augment the monthly data which can be skewed by 4 and 5 week time periods. The historical and forecast data is presented in a series of tables and charts that have been designed to convey a range of useful metrics in a concise and clear manner. The purpose is to provide information at a glance. (For assistance in reading these, the final page of the report contains instructions and examples.)

In addition to increasing the forecast horizon, the updated newsletter features an editorial, an economic outlook and an article by a guest contributor. Key news items related to individual ports are also included.   As can be seen in the sample newsletters below, the approach is tactical as well as strategic and allows the reader to see the direction of trade at a glance.

We hope that you will enjoy reading the complimentary issue below, and that you will consider subscribing at US$1,195 for a 12 issues. 

To subscribe, please contact us at porttracker@hackettassociates.com.

The December issue can be accessed below.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

During the course of early 2010 we will be introducing a separate North Europe Trade Outlook in the same format, although we may add exports as well. The range of ports will include the Le Havre-Hamburg range.

North American Trade Outlook – May 2010

National Retail Federation contact David Hogan

Hackett Associates contact Ben Hackett