US container imports recover modestly in June, led by West Coast

After a sharp drop in May, US container import volumes stabilised in June 2025, rising 1.8 per cent month-on-month (MoM) to 2,217,675 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), according to The Global Shipping Report released by Descartes.

While still 3.5 per cent below June 2024 levels, the recovery suggests early signs of adaptation in supply chains amid persistent tariff uncertainty and volatile trade flows.

A shift occurred in port market share, with West Coast gateways regaining dominance. Los Angeles led the rebound with a 29.1 per cent surge, followed by Long Beach (+18.8 per cent) and Tacoma (+33.3 per cent). Collectively, West Coast ports captured 45.4 per cent of top-port volumes—up from 38.1 per cent in May—while East and Gulf Coast ports declined to 38.7 per cent.

Transit delays improved significantly in June, dropping from 54.4 days in May to 44.0 days across major US ports. Los Angeles and Long Beach saw the greatest improvements, with delays reduced by 2.1 and 3.3 days, respectively. New York/New Jersey held steady at 5.8 days, while southern ports like Savannah and Houston posted moderate gains, as per the report.

By contrast, Gulf Coast ports, which had seen steady growth earlier in the year, faltered in June. Imports into the region fell 24.8 per cent to 192,883 TEUs—erasing three months of gains and landing 15.1 per cent below the rolling 12-month average.

The broader macroeconomic picture is mixed. While the US added 147,000 jobs in June and unemployment edged down to 4.1 per cent, manufacturing employment slipped for the second straight month. The Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates at 4.25–4.50 per cent highlights the balance between inflation control and economic caution.

As the Liberation Day tariff pause ends on July 9 and trade policy uncertainty mounts, importers and logistics providers will need to remain agile, the report said.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)