The outlook for the US economic recovery is weak, according to the latest quarterly trade report from analyst MDS Transmodal.

The company based its outlook on container shipping data for the final quarter of 2009 and forward projections.

In 2010, the US will see modest growth in loaded containers of around 9% and 11% for exports and imports respectively, but this will tail-off to 4% and 3% by 2012.