According to the latest Container Volume Observer Report from well-known industry expert John McCown, the ten leading U.S. ports posted a nearly 8% year-over-year decline in June in inbound container volume, following a 6.6% decrease in May. This marked a sharp reversal from a 9.9% gain in April. Outbound volume also declined by 5% in June.
“In a diametric contrast with the 15.2% overall annual growth for inbound loads seen in 2024, it is now most likely that there will be a decline in overall annual inbound volume in 2025,” affirms Mr. McCown. “That will be one of the more striking year to year changes in U.S. container volume in the six-decade history of container shipping.”
The report singles out the Trump-ignited tariff war as the primary driver of the downturn: “The downward turn in 2025 will be due to tariffs and unfortunately there is nothing at present that suggests it will be short-lived. More than ever, it now looks like notable tariffs will be in place at least during the balance of the current administration.”
(Port of Long Beach photo)