The latest data from Descartes found that U.S. container twenty-foot-equivalent unit (TEU) import volumes increased 3% between March and April, as well as 9.3% year-over-year.
That was partially the result of Chinese imports into the U.S. rebounding after the lull brought on by China’s Lunar New Year. In total, Descartes estimates that China was responsible for roughly 34% of U.S. container imports in April, primarily driven by “consumer-oriented” goods. On the the West Coast, total container import volumes for the top five ports went up by 8.4% from March to April, while volumes at the top five East and Gulf Coast ports dipped by 2%.
The report shows that transit delays have improved for most major U.S. ports as well, while there have been minimal impact on volumes from drought conditions at the Panama Canal and Houthi rebel attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. That said, Descartes also warned that shipping concerns will grow “if the Middle East is further destabilized.” The Panama Canal Authority also has maintenance work scheduled for the Gatun locks, between May 7-15, which will reduce transit capacity from 20 to 17 slots per day over that period.
As the Red Sea crisis has continued, Freightos says that ocean freight rates have risen significantly since the start of May. Concerns over conditions in that region have mounted for carriers, with Maersk warning that the risk zone in the Red Sea has expanded.
