The United States ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 10.5 million TEUs of containers in the first half, representing a decrease of 22.3% year-on-year.
“Import container shipments have returned to the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019 and appear likely to stay there for a while,” commented Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates.
Hackett compiles Global Port Tracker reports together with the National Retail Federation (NRF).
Earlier in June, NRF made a statement calling on US President Joe Biden’s administration to intervene in ILWU/PMA negotiations, following reports of disruptions at US West Coast terminals.
In April, imports to the aforementioned ports amounted to 1.78 million TEUs, up 9.6% from March but down 21.3% year-on-year. Global Port Tracker projected May’s volumes at 1.84 million TEUs, down 23% from the same month in 2022.
June is forecast at 1.91 million TEUs, down 15.3%, July at 1.99 million TEUs, down 8.8%, August at 2.02 million TEUs, down 10.5%, September at 1.95 million TEUs, down 4%, and finally October at 1.95 million TEUs, down 2.7%.
Furthermore, Global Port Tracker has not yet forecast the full year, but the third quarter is expected to total 5.97 million TEUs, down 7.9%, and the first nine months of the year should total 16.48 million TEUs, down 17.6%.
“If labor and management can’t reach an agreement and operate smoothly and efficiently, retailers will have no choice but to continue to take their cargo to East Coast and Gulf Coast gateways,” said Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the NRF.
