US maritime imports held steady in 2025 despite sharp swings in port performance and sourcing strategies during one of the most unpredictable trade environments in decades, reported Massachusetts' DC Velocity.

The 2026 Descartes Datamyne Port Report stated that containerized import volumes reached 28,093,126 TEU, reflecting a marginal 0.03 percent decline from 2024. Tariff uncertainty drove erratic shipment patterns, with orders surging and stalling as US-China trade measures shifted.

Imports spiked after a May truce rolled back tariffs, followed by front-loading ahead of reciprocal duties in August. West Coast ports bore the brunt, with China accounting for 47.7 percent of TEU volumes, compared with 25.9 percent at Gulf ports and 22.4 percent on the East Coast.

Carriers redeployed resources to meet shifting demand, cutting vessel calls at secondary ports. By year-end, East Coast ports held a fractional edge over the West despite summer gains for Pacific gateways.

New anti-circumvention rules from August and port fees on China-built vessels in October added further complexity. Geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, Strait of Hormuz, and Red Sea also disrupted trade flows.

Descartes stated that the report, based on bills of lading data from its Datamyne trade database, is intended as a reference for port authorities, carriers, logistics providers, importers, and shippers tracking US import trends.