New Descartes Data: December import volumes mirror pre-pandemic levels

ATLANTA, Georgia, January 10, 2023 -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq: DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released its January report on U.S. container imports for logistics and supply chain professionals. The report shows that December U.S. container import volumes declined slightly from November to align with December 2019 levels. Port delays continue to decrease, with top East and Gulf Coast ports seeing the greatest reduction. Key economic indicators during this period continue to paint a conflicting picture about their impact on future import volumes and, combined with COVID, the Russia/Ukraine conflict and the West Coast labor situation, continue to point to further disruptions and challenging global supply chain performance in 2023.

December 2022 U.S. container import volumes declined 1.3% from November to 1,929,032 TEUs (see Figure 1). Versus December 2021, TEU volume was down 19.3%, and only 1.3% higher than pre-pandemic December 2019. Note that December has the holiday season in the second half of the month which can adversely impact container import volumes.

“Comparing fall imports in 2022 to the previous six years, the slight decline in December 2022 volume versus November 2022 was consistent at -1.3% (see Figure 2). Imports from China also declined, but even more slowly at -0.5%,” said Chris Jones, EVP Industry & Services at Descartes. “The December U.S. container import data points to less pressure on supply chains and logistics operations, but there are still a number of issues that may cause further disruptions in 2023.” 

The December report is Descartes’ eighteenth installment since beginning its analysis in August 2021. To read past reports, learn more about the key economic and logistics factors driving global shipping, visit Descartes’ Global Shipping Resource Center.

About Descartes
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Global Media Contact
Cara Strohack
Tel: +1(800) 419-8495 ext. 202025
cstrohack@descartes.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relate to Descartes' solution offering and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that September cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That September Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada including Descartes’ most recently filed management's discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.