Cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports fell again in October, and 2008 is now expected to be the slowest year since 2004 as the downturn in the nation's economy continues, according to the monthly Port Tracker report.
Volume is projected to total 15.3 million TEUs for the year, compared with 16.5 million TEUs in 2007.
That would be a decline of 7.1 percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU moved through the ports.
The estimate is down from the 15.43 million projected a month ago, which would have been a 6.5 percent decline from 2007 and the lowest number since 2005's 15.4 million TEUs.
Volume is projected to total 15.3 million TEUs for the year, compared with 16.5 million TEUs in 2007.
That would be a decline of 7.1 percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU moved through the ports.
The estimate is down from the 15.43 million projected a month ago, which would have been a 6.5 percent decline from 2007 and the lowest number since 2005's 15.4 million TEUs.