Record Container Volumes at U.S. Maritime Gateways Amid Global Supply Chain Challenges
Despite ongoing uncertainty in the global supply chain, U.S. maritime gateways are witnessing record container volumes. The Port of Los Angeles reported handling 924,245 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, which marks an 8% year-over-year increase and represents the busiest start to the year in the port’s 117-year history. This strong performance is attributed to a robust economy, with importers bringing in cargo as a hedge against tariffs and in anticipation of the Lunar New Year.
In January, loaded imports reached 483,831 TEUs, reflecting a 9.5% increase compared to the previous year. Conversely, loaded exports totaled 113,271 TEUs, indicating a decline of 10.5% year-over-year.
Amid these challenges, the Port of Los Angeles has managed to efficiently handle these record-breaking volumes, reporting no significant ship delays.
