Busiest US ports absorb import surge nearing pandemic-era frenzy
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which account for roughly a third of all US container imports, had their third-strongest month ever in July, just shy of an all-time high reached in May 2021. Back then, a wave of inbound consumer goods caused supply bottlenecks on land and a queue of cargo ships waiting for a berth offshore was getting longer by the day.
Demand now is driven by retailers and other importers that are stocking up ahead of US tariffs on Chinese goods and a possible strike by a large group of American dockworkers — adding to the usual frenzy of pre-holiday ordering that occurs this time of year.
The marine terminals in Southern California’s San Pedro Bay are withstanding the crush so far, though some gauges of capacity constraints are starting to rise.
“We’re in a strong position heading into the peak shipping season as consumers purchase back-to-school supplies and shippers move goods ahead of potential tariff increases,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said in a statement. “We have plenty of capacity across our terminals and cargo continues to move efficiently and sustainably.”
In the latest rush to restock, fear of delayed shipments is a big factor.Talks between the union representing longshoremen on the East and Gulf coasts and their employers have reached an impasse, six weeks before their contract expires Sept. 30. So some ocean freight that might come through ports from Boston to Houston is shifting to West Coast gateways until that uncertainty is resolved.
According to data
