by | Mar 14, 2016 | Transport

NVOCC US import TEU share reached 37.4% in 2015, a bump up from 2014’s share of 36.0%, and a 10 percentage point gain over 10 years, our trade data shows.

Global companies’ confidence that more shippers will be outsourcing their logistics is seen as driving M&A activity in the 3PL sector [see Betting on Outsourcing: 3PL Mergers and Acquisitions]. The trade data should encourage that confidence.

Ocean carriers brought 20,226,253 TEUs of imports to US ports last year, with 7,573,180 TEUs contracted by ocean transport intermediaries known as non-vessel operating common carriers – or NVOCCs. TEUs – or 20-foot equivalent units – are the standard measure of containerized cargos. Our final tally of carrier US import volumes shows a 4.8% increase in 2015 over 2014; NVOCC TEUs increased 9.2% in 2015 compared with the year before.* Both growth rates were off 2014’s pace. Here’s a look at the 10-year trend data on US import volumes and the rising NVOCC US import TEU share:

NVOCC US import TEU share: annual volumes for Carriers, NVOCCs

US import TEUs carriers, NVOCCs growth rates, NVOCC US import TEU share as percentage

3PLs See Volumes Rise, Growth Slow in 2015

Meanwhile, 3PLs told the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) they saw an increase in total shipments of 8.5% overall, yet total revenue dropped 4.7% in fourth-quarter 2015 compared with the same period a year earlier, reports Material Handling & Logistics.

The numbers, from the TIA’s quarterly 3PL Benchmarking report, are based on data from the trade association’s members. 3PLs are a broader category of ocean transport intermediaries in which NVOCCs are well represented.

2015’s Top NVOCCs

Our year-end 2015 ranking of NVOCCs by US import TEU volumes puts Expeditors International of Washington Inc. (EXDO) in the lead, with Blue Anchor America Line (BANQ) in second. These two have held these positions over the last decade – although Expeditors International’s lead over Blue Anchor narrowed last year. Expeditors accounted for 5.67% share of TEUs handled by NVOCCs in 2015; Blue Anchor’s share was 5.58%.

You can download our 2015 report ranking the top 20 NVOCCs by US import TEUs, and including a break-out of their TEUs by the top three carriers, here.

NVOCC share of US import TEUs, rank by TEUs, breakout of TEUs by top 3 carriers

[*The text in our original post transposed the growth rates for carrier import TEUs vs NVOCC TEUs. They now match the correct rates shown in the graph. – Editor]

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