US Container Imports Reach 2.6 Million TEU, Third-Highest Volume on Record

Port of Savannah

US container imports increased 3.8% from July to 2,603,709 TEU in August, making the monthly volume the third-highest on record.

According to Descartes Datamyne data, the August volume was surpassed only by those recorded in May 2022 and July 2025. Compared with August 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, US container imports in August 2026 were 21.5% higher.

The increase was recorded across several major container gateways on the East Coast, Gulf Coast and West Coast, while importers continued to monitor port handling capacity, trade policies and other factors that could affect shipping schedules.

Major Ports Record Higher Volumes

The 10 largest container ports in the US handled 84.6% of total container import volumes in August. Of these, eight recorded higher volumes than in the previous month.

Savannah posted a 9.2% increase, followed by New York/Newark at 7.2% and Long Beach at 2.8%.

The increases at New York/Newark and Savannah helped raise the combined market share of East Coast and Gulf Coast ports to 40.7%, up from 39.8% in July. Meanwhile, the market share of West Coast ports edged down to 43.9%.

Higher volumes were also accompanied by longer delays across all 10 major ports. Houston and Seattle recorded the largest increases, with delays extending by 1.5 days, while Savannah saw delays increase by 1.3 days.

For shippers and logistics service providers, developments in cargo volumes and port processing times are important factors to consider when planning cargo deliveries and collections, particularly for time-sensitive shipments.

Volumes from Multiple Export Markets Continue to Rise

The increase in August imports was recorded across several key export markets.

Container volumes from China rose 1.3% from the previous month to 884,318 TEU. However, China’s share of total US container imports fell to 34%, as some other sourcing markets grew at a faster pace.

Vietnam added 14,545 TEU, equivalent to a 5.2% increase. Thailand and Indonesia also recorded increases of 10.4% and 19.5%, respectively.

These developments indicate that US import cargo continues to be sourced from a broader range of export markets. For businesses, changes in sourcing patterns may lead to adjustments in shipping routes, port selection and inland transportation arrangements.

Geopolitical and Trade Factors Continue to Affect Supply Chains

The increase in import volumes comes as shippers continue to manage multiple factors that could affect supply chain costs and reliability.

●    Geopolitical risks: Developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the security situation in the Red Sea remain factors to monitor for relevant shipping routes. Changes in vessel routing can affect transit times and logistics costs.

●    Tariffs: US tariff policies under Section 301 and Section 232 require importers to assess their impact on landed costs based on individual products, countries of origin and HS codes. Calculating total costs therefore involves more than freight rates alone.

●    Panama Canal: Transit capacity through the Panama Canal remains a factor to monitor for ocean services to the East Coast and Gulf Coast. According to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), 9 Neopanamax vessel transits per day are allocated, while Panamax vessels are allocated 23 transits per day during the applicable period.

For all-water services to the East Coast and Gulf Coast, constraints on transit capacity could affect waiting times and vessel schedules, depending on each carrier’s operating plans.

Rising Container Volumes Add Pressure on Handling Capacity

US imports of more than 2.6 million TEU in August show that cargo flows into the US market continue to run at high levels compared with the pre-pandemic period. However, elevated volumes also place additional demands on port receiving and handling capacity, inland transportation and logistics services beyond the port.

Against this backdrop, importers need to monitor volumes at major gateways, port processing times, inland transportation capacity and changes in trade policies simultaneously.

For shipments with tight delivery windows, assessing port options, service routes and inland transportation alternatives in advance can give businesses greater flexibility as operating conditions change.

The August data show that demand for container imports into the US remains high, while the stable operation of supply chains continues to depend on port handling capacity, the reliability of transportation networks and changes in the international trade environment.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Freight Waves)

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