U.S. container import volume remained strong in June 2024, with volumes increasing by double-digits compared to the same month last year, according to Descartes Systems Group’s July Global Shipping Report.
However, June’s container import volume declined by 2.1% from May 2024, totaling 2,297,979 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Despite this month-over-month dip, the year-over-year growth of containerized imports stood at 10.4%.
Imports from China remained strong, with a 13.8% increase compared to June 2023, while remaining flat compared to May 2024. Notably, Chinese imports in June 2024 were down 11.2% from the August 2022 peak of 1,003,725 TEUs.
Port transit delays at most West Coast ports improved, with the Port of Long Beach seeing the greatest improvement by reducing delays by 2.5 days. In contrast, East and Gulf Coast ports experienced marginal increases in delays, with Savannah reporting the largest increase of 1 day.
The improvements come as West Coast ports saw their container import volume share rise to 44.6% in June, while East and Gulf Coast ports saw a decrease to 41.4%.
Despite the strong import performance since the start of 2024, the risk of global supply chain disruptions remains high. The ongoing Middle East conflict and stalled labor negotiations at U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports pose significant threats to global trade stability.
“While June volumes dipped slightly from May, they maintained a strong position when compared to 2023 and pre-pandemic 2019 statistics for the same period,” said Chris Jones, EVP Industry, Descartes. “Port transit delays remain lower despite the continued significantly higher container import volumes. However, the potential for trade disruptions remains high with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and pending ILA contract negotiations.”
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 109,111 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
By Gian Volpicelli and Andrea Palasciano Feb 15, 2025 (Bloomberg) –The European Union is mulling a public-private initiative worth “hundreds of millions” of euros to buy ships that can promptly repair...
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Friday it has granted a liquefied natural gas export license to the Commonwealth LNG project in Louisiana, the first approval of LNG exports after former President Joe Biden paused them early last year.
President Donald Trump is embarking on what may be his most disruptive action yet for the global economy by broadening his grievances to how other countries choose to tax and regulate.
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 109,111 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
