Ports

November imports, at 2.63 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), decreased 3.2% annually, falling for the third consecutive month, and were down sequentially compared to October’s 2.71 million TEU.

November U.S.-bound container import volume—at 2,183,048 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—were off 5.4% compared to October and saw a 7.5% annual decline.

For October, the most recent month for which data is available, U.S. imports, for the ports surveyed in the report, came in at 2.07 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), excluding the Port of Charleston, which marked a 1.8% sequential decline and a 7.9% annual decline.  

Hacebaga currently serves as POLB Chief Operating Officer. He has been at POLB for the last 15 years in various senior management roles, and in his current position he oversees daily operations, including commercial services, engineering, finance and administration, planning and environmental affairs, and strategic advocacy.  

POLA reported that October volume, at 848,431 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), fell 6.25% annually, and POLB reported that October volume, at 839,671 TEU, fell 14.9% annually, compared to October 2024, the port’s strongest month on record in its 114 years of operations.

October U.S.-bound container import volume—at 2,306,687 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—were off 0.1% compared to September’s 2,307,933 TEU and saw a 7.5% annual decline.

The Office of the USTR said that this suspension will be for one year and went into effect at 12:01 AM ET on November 10.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

July imports, at 3.01 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), headed up 3.7% annually, topping the 2.90 million TEU in July 20214, and cracking the 3 million TEU mark for the first time.

POLA reported that total July volume, at 1,019,837 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), increased 8.5% annually, marking the highest-volume month in the port’s 117 years of operations. The Port of Long Beach reported that total July volume, at 944,232 TEU, rose 7% annually, setting a new July record, topping the previous high set in 2024, while posting the third-highest tally, for any month, on record for the port.

July U.S.-bound container import volume—at 2,621,910 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—increased 18.2% over June and were up 2.6% annually.