US container gateways are set for a record July as retailers rush shipments ahead of tariff hikes, with volumes expected to hit 2.47 million TEU.
Import volumes at major US container gateways are forecast to reach an all-time monthly high in July as retailers accelerate shipments ahead of tariff increases, reported London's Port Technology International.
The Global Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates indicated that ports handled 2.24 million TEU in May, which is up 14.9 percent year-on-year and 10.1 percent higher than April.
June throughput is projected at 2.33 million TEU, reflecting an increase of 18.7 percent, bringing first-half volumes to 12.77 million TEU, a gain of 2 percent.
July imports are forecast at 2.47 million TEU, which is 3.3 percent above last year and surpasses the previous record of 2.4 million TEU set in May 2022 during the post-pandemic rebound.
Volumes are expected to ease thereafter, with August projected at 2.22 million TEU, down 4.5 percent, September at 1.99 million TEU, down 5.7 percent, October at 1.99 million TEU, down 3.8 percent, and November at 1.92 million TEU, down 5.2 percent.
Analysts stated that the July peak reflects pre-tariff stockpiling, with throughput likely to decline into autumn as front-loaded demand unwinds.
