A recent industry review highlights that container traffic is swinging back toward the US West Coast, fueled by easing congestion in California and growing challenges at East Coast gateways linked to the ongoing Red Sea crisis.
West Coast Ports Regain Momentum
In the first half of the year, the Los Angeles/Long Beach (LA/LB) port complex recorded container throughput growth of 7.5%, handling 9.7 million TEUs. This marks its strongest January–June performance since 2022. By contrast, the New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) gateway expanded by 4.9%, reaching 4.4 million TEUs during the same period.
Geopolitical Headwinds Boost West Coast Appeal
Shippers are increasingly favoring the West Coast as congestion has eased at LA/LB, restoring reliability for carriers. Meanwhile, geopolitical instability and heightened risks along the Suez Canal and Red Sea routes have made East Coast ports a less appealing option. This dynamic has shifted transpacific flows back toward California.
Global Shifts in Port Traffic and Market Trends
Beyond the U.S., several international ports have shown notable changes. Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelepas achieved the strongest growth among the world’s top 30 ports, with throughput rising by 15.4%, driven by increased transshipment volumes.
In Europe, Hamburg posted a 9.3% increase, supported by higher volumes from the Far East and renewed trade activity with the Baltic Sea region. These results indicate broader shifts in global trade lanes, with Asian and European hubs gaining new momentum.
The shift back to the West Coast signals a rebalancing of transpacific shipping routes. For carriers and shippers, LA/LB is becoming more attractive, especially as East Coast routes face longer transit times and operational uncertainty. At the same time, the growth of Tanjung Pelepas and the rebound of Hamburg reflect an evolving global port landscape, shaped by both geopolitics and shifting trade partnerships.
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Source: Alphaliner
