U.S. container imports see historic growth

A report by industry expert John McCown shows that U.S. container imports increased for the 14th consecutive month in November, with arrivals at the country’s top ten ports increasing 13.1% year-on-year. The growth represents one of the strongest periods in container shipping history outside of the pandemic surge.

Also read: Seasonal decline in U.S. container imports slows in November 2024

record-breaking momentum

Total arrivals in November reached 2,033,620 TEU, a significant increase from October’s 9.7% increase, but still 11.1% below the all-time high in May 2022. McCown noted that the 14.7% increase over the past 12 months was among the highest on record, excluding the pandemic period.

“There’s no question that we’re seeing exceptionally strong and continued volume growth,” McCown said.

The value of containerized cargo passing through all U.S. ports reached $185.3 billion in November, underscoring the growth driven by strong demand.

Coastal adjustment

McCown’s analysis noted significant changes in port activity, with West Coast ports outperforming East and Gulf Coast ports in 14 of the past 16 months. This westward trend intensified after the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) staged a three-day strike in October with a temporary contract extension until the end of January 2025.

West Coast ports grew 20.2% year-over-year in November, far exceeding the 6.0% growth for East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. West Coast port performance is currently 10.1% above the 52-month average, while East/Gulf Coast ports are 3.4% below average.

Meet the challenges

Despite concerns about inventory levels and supply chain disruptions, McCown noted there is little evidence of forward shipping impacts in census data. However, ongoing coastal shifts continue to reshape the dynamics of U.S. container shipping.

This continued surge in imports allows U.S. ports to take advantage of changing trade patterns and growing demand as the industry monitors labor disputes and infrastructure upgrades.