US Ports Surge as Retailers Front-Load Holiday Shipments
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U.S. ports reported strong results amid efforts in August to move cargo ahead of the holiday shipping season and a potential strike.
Port of Los Angeles processed a near-record 960,597 20-foot equivalent units in August, a 16% jump from the 828,015 containers handled a year earlier. It was the busiest month ever for the port outside the coronavirus pandemic. This year is currently tracking 17% ahead of 2023.
“The American consumer continues to spend and that’s helping to power our economy,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said during a media briefing. “Some of the cargo arriving now is replenishing inventories even beyond the year-end holiday season. Combined with a steady flow of manufacturing parts and components, we should continue to see elevated volume in the near term.”
The Port of Long Beach reported its strongest month ever, with container volumes increasing 33.9% to 913,873 from 682,312. The port noted that the strong performance occurred as retailers moved cargo ahead of potential tariff increases. So far this year, the port has moved 21.9% more containers compared to 2023.
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This surge in activity comes as East and Gulf Coast ports face the possibility of a strike starting Oct. 1. The U.S. Maritime Alliance filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on Sept. 26, alleging that the International Longshoremen’s Association is not bargaining in good faith. With no talks scheduled and the contract set to expire, a work stoppage that could affect up to 36 ports seems increasingly likely, potentially disrupting the current flow of goods.
Cordero
“Cargo diversions and concerns about upcoming tariffs are creating a busy peak season for us,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We’re prepared for the uptick in shipments and continued growth through the rest of the year with a dedicated waterfront workforce, modern infrastructure and plenty of capacity across our terminals.”
The Northwest Seaport Alliance noted that combined container volumes between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., increased 30.1% year-over-year to 315,739 from 242,700. The port cited increased vessel calls, intermodal volume and diverted cargo as reasons for the strong volumes.
The Port of Oakland posted a 7.7% increase to 192,963 containers from 179,173. This was primarily due to the strength of loaded imports, while loaded exports declined 5.5%. The port noted this is the first year export volumes have grown since 2019. Overall 2024 export volumes are up year over year.
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“We are preparing for a strong fourth quarter,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “All indicators point to strong import volumes fueled by consumer spending during the upcoming holiday season.”
Georgia Ports Authority said that container volumes increased 18.6% to 490,000 TEUs from 413,300. The port noted that the results marked its second busiest August. The record for the month occurred because of pandemic-related demand surges in 2022. The latest increase was influenced by customers front-loading cargo ahead of the holiday peak season.
The South Carolina Ports Authority, Port Houston, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Port of Virginia did not have data available at press time.
