United States Shipping Report Q4 2015: New research report available at Fast Market Research

BMI maintains its cautiously optimistic view on the US shipping sector. We believe 2015 will see the country's major facilities consolidate the growth seen in 2014. Our overall view that the US economy will continue to accelerate remains firmly in place, and we forecast GDP growth of 2.7% in 2015, with growing consumer demand in particular providing a boost to container volumes .

Real GDP growth in the US will accelerate in the coming years, on the back of stronger private consumption and low borrowing costs. We forecast headline growth of 2.9% in 2015 and 2.6% in 2016, up from 2.4% in 2014. The main driver of this growth will be the private sector, with household consumption bolstered by lower inflation, an improved labour market and low borrowing costs.

The outlook for the consumer sector continues to improve as unemployment maintains its broad downward trajectory (at 5.5% in March). This bodes well for container volumes at US ports. Household consumption levels will be further supported by an uptick in personal income levels, which have grown by an average 4.5% y-o-y over the first two months of 2015, compared to an average of 3.9% during 2014. Perhaps even more significantly, consumer price inflation has fallen to the lowest levels seen since 2009, due in large part to the collapse in the oil price, which has contributed to much lower fuel costs. As consumers spend less at the fuel pump, they will benefit from greater discretionary income for other goods, leading to an increase in consumption in real terms.

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- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/1052996_united_states_shipping_report.aspx?afid=301

We believe risks are weighted to the upside across the US economy. The most likely of these risks, we believe, is that a greater than expected improvement in the labour market or consumer sentiment will lead to much stronger demand for goods and services. Such an outcome could also lead to stronger business investment in capacity and support further housing market growth.

Key Industry Data

The United States Shipping Report has been researched at source and features latest-available data and BMI Research's independent forecasting, critically analysing international transport of dry bulk and containers. The report evaluates the global commodities and trade backdrop, alongside in-depth country-specific analysis of trade prospects. The report also contains company profiles covering leading multinational and national shipping companies and analysis of latest industry news, trends and regulatory developments in United States.

BMI's United States Shipping Report provides industry professionals and strategists, sector analysts, business investors, trade associations and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the shipping industry in United States.

Key Benefits

* Benchmark BMI's independent shipping industry forecasts for United States

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