Container handling across nine countries tracked by Panjiva increased 8% in April, the 27th straight month of growth and only just below March’s 10% increase. Brazil’s ports expanded the quickest at 11%, though this was due solely to higher import handling. The U.S. was second with 10% growth, due to an Asia-led expansion at Long Beach. The main disappointments were South Africa, which was unchanged, and Spain which increased 4% but faced strikes in May and June.