- July’s US container imports hit the third-highest level on record, surpassing 2.5 million TEUs.
- Despite the surge in volume, port transit times showed little improvement or decline.
- Imports from China reached a record high, significantly contributing to the month’s growth.
According to Descartes Systems Group’s Global Shipping Report, July container imports into the United States reached their third-highest level ever recorded, driven by a notable increase in volume. Despite this surge, port transit times showed minimal changes, reflecting ongoing challenges in port efficiency. Imports from China played a significant role in this record-setting month, reaching unprecedented levels. Overall, the data underscores a robust import trend for 2024, though potential global supply chain disruptions remain a concern, reports Container News.
July container volumes
According to Descartes Systems Group’s latest Global Shipping Report, July container volumes into the United States were the third highest on record, eclipsed only by the first- and second-highest volumes in May 2022 and March 2022, respectively.
Despite the increased volume in July, port transit time delays showed little impact with largely negligible improvement or decline.
“The August update of the logistics metrics monitored by Descartes reinforces the strength of US container imports since the start of 2024; however, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, stalled labor negotiations at US South Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports, and reduced port capacity as container volumes slowly return to the Port of Baltimore point to potential global supply chain volatility,” commented a Descartes analyst.
In July, US container import volumes increased 11.2% from June to 2,556,180 TEUs, marking the first time in 26 months that volumes exceeded the 2.4 million TEU level that created port congestion and delays during the pandemic years.
Compared to July 2023, TEU volume was up 16.8% and 16.3% compared to July 2019, which was pre-pandemic.
The growth in import volume over the first seven months of 2024 is 15.6% higher than the same period in 2019.
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Source: Container News
