Heavy Machinery Imports Continue Decline

by Sineva Toevai - last modified Jun 25, 2012 12:59 PM

Import volumes dropped 6% in May to 2,208 units from about 2,350 units in April due to declines in both scrapers and other earthmoving machines, the Skelton Sherborne Shipping Index showed.

However, while volumes decreased, the value of heavy machinery imports increased to $700m in May from about $610m in April.

“This month’s figures reflects further that mining equipment imports remain resilient while smaller civil works equipment is down somewhat in some sectors,” Skelton Sherborne managing director Brad Skelton said.

Delivering the most significant declines were scrapers, which fell 36% to 14 units, and other earth moving machines, down 47% to 199 units.

Tracked crane numbers rose 71% to 12, mobile cranes surged 254% to 46, graders increased 51% to 139 units and crushers climbed 88% to 98 units.

Wheel loaders made up the bulk of heavy machinery imports in May with a total of 403 units, followed by excavators & draglines >12t (354 units), excavators (315 units).

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