ATLANTA, Georgia, February 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq: DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released its February report on the ongoing global shipping crisis and analysis for logistics and supply chain professionals. The report shows stronger U.S. ocean container import volumes in January and a slight softening of economic indicators, but not enough to suggest a change in the levels of disruption for global supply chains in 2022.

January 2022 rebounded from a two month decline to post record U.S. import container volume of 2.47M TEUs (see Figure 1). Compared to January 2021 and pre-pandemic January 2020, January 2022 was another record month with volumes up 3% and 14%, respectively. From an economic indicator perspective, the ratio of consumer expenditures of goods to services dropped 1.8% to 51.6% in January. This could signal softer import volumes as goods purchases are the most significant driver of heightened global shipping volumes; however, January container import volume remains in the 2.4M to 2.6M TEU range that persisted throughout 2021, contributing to the chronic supply chain disruptions (e.g., delays, variability, etc.) that ensued.

Figure 1. U.S. Container Import Volume Year-over-Year Comparison

Source: Descartes Datamyne™

“The slight reduction in the personal consumption of goods of might be a positive sign, but other indicators like the retailer inventory to sales ratio need to measurably improve (see Figure 2) to take the pressure of the U.S. logistics infrastructure in 2022,” said Chris Jones, EVP Industry & Services at Descartes. “January’s container import volume doesn’t show a break in the action. We believe importers and logistics services providers will face a congested and frustrating 2022 and must plan for more lasting impact.”

Figure 2: FRED Retailers: Inventory to Sales Ratio

The February report is Descartes’ seventh installment since beginning its analysis in August 2021. To read past reports, learn more about the key economic and logistics factors driving the global shipping crisis, and review strategies to help address it in the near-, short- and long-term, visit Descartes’ Global Shipping Crisis 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 may 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 May 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.