Topic: Ocean Freight

The Port of Los Angeles reported that total volume, at 883,053 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), fell 7.5% annually, and the Port of Long Beach reported that total September volume, at 797,537 TEU, was off 3.9% annually.

The firm reported that September imports, at 2.72 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), fell 5.8% annually, down from August’s 2.9 million TEU July’s 3.01 million TEU (which topped the 3 million TEU mark for the first time and came on the heels of a June decline, coupled with importers looking to optimize sourcing following the White House’s reciprocal tariffs related to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act on most U.S. trading partners, which went into effect on August 7).

September U.S.-bound container import volume—at 2,307,933 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—fell 8.4% compared to August’s 2,519,722 TEU, the second-highest monthly total in 2025 and close to the May 2022 monthly record, as well as the third-highest September tally on record, and was also down 8.4% annually. On a year-to-date basis through September, volumes are up 1.9% compared to the same period a year ago, which Descartes said suggests moderate resilience in overall demand. 

Actions outlined by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), in regards to announced modifications of certain aspects of the responsive action to modify American shipbuilding from April, went into effect.

The September reading, at 57.4 (a reading above 50 indicates growth is occurring), trailed August’s 59.3 by 1.9%, coming in at its lowest level since March and its second-lowest this year—and it is the seventh consecutive month the LMI reading has been below the all-time overall average of 61.5.

The impetus for this planned action, Trump said, was due to China taking what he described as an extraordinarily aggressive position on trade, in the form of imposing large scale export controls on nearly every product made in China and some not made in China, including rare earth minerals.

A session at this week’s Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) EDGE conference in National Harbor, Maryland addressed various aspects related to the current state of the freight market, including the impact of various freight recessions, above-average inventory levels despite efforts to reduce them, the importance of maintaining shipper-provider relationships, as well the impact of tariffs, and other topics.

A panel of industry experts across different areas of the supply chain provided a detailed overview of market trends and themes this week in a session at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) EDGE annual conference, which was held in National Harbor, Maryland.

For the first half of 2025, Port Tracker said that total volume, at 12.53 million TEU, rose 3.7% annually, with calendar year 2025 expected to be down 2.9% annually, to 25.5 million TEU.

As global trade has seen significant shifts in a short time across 2025, coupled with the ongoing need for supply chains to build resilience and speed and become ever more agile, the role of the supply chain has subsequently evolved to being able to respond in short order to various things.

The feature examines the volatile ocean shipping landscape, highlighting how tariffs, geopolitical tensions, fleet overcapacity, and port congestion are reshaping trans-Pacific and global container markets. Insights from top carriers, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC, as well as analysts from Drewry and Freightos, reveal how shippers are navigating rate fluctuations, front-loaded cargo, and evolving peak season timing to optimize ocean freight strategies.

U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) continue to provide importers and exporters with duty deferral, export exemptions, and operational efficiencies, even as 2025 tariff policies—including reciprocal duties, higher Section 232 rates, and the end of de minimis—reshape the importing landscape. By leveraging FTZs, companies can manage costs, streamline compliance, and maintain global competitiveness while navigating evolving trade regulations.

White House imposes steep tariffs on trucks, furniture, and pharmaceuticals as legal challenge to trade powers looms

Top-level executives at Plantation, Fla.-based global express delivery and logistics services provider DHL shared their thoughts and expectations about the 2025 Peak Season this week, on a company-hosted call.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and co-sponsored by Mike Ezell (R-MS), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA).

POLA reported that total volume, at 958,355 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), saw a 6% annual increase. The Port of Long Beach reported that August volume, at 901,846 TEU, was off 1.3% from its August 2024 record, while still posting its second-best volume August on record, as well as its sixth-busiest month in port history.

The White House issued an executive order earlier this month, which it said it takes steps to modify tariff policies and also establish procedures to implement trade and security agreements with foreign partners, in regards to what it called persistent U.S. goods trade benefits that are considered a national security threat.

ng off of a record-setting July, United States-bound containerized freight imports saw annual gains, albeit at a reduced pace, according to data recently issued by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The plan also covers steel, textiles, and around 1,400 other products from countries without trade agreements.

August U.S.-bound container import volume—at 2,519,722 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—decreased 3.9% compared to July (higher than the 3.0% decline for the same period a year ago) and were up 1.6% annually and 17.6% higher than pre-pandemic 2019.