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Imports at Container Ports Continue at Near Record Levels
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to be at near-record levels this spring and summer as consumer demand and supply chain challenges continue to result in congestion, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
“Consumers are still spending and the supply chain is still working to keep up,” said Jonantan Gold, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy.
U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.16 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in January, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 3.6 percent from December and up 5.2 percent year-over-year.
“Growth rates have slowed down from the off-the-charts numbers we saw last year, but volume is close to the highest we’ve ever seen. Everyone in the supply chain is trying to reduce congestion, but there is still work to be done. Retailers are also planning for potential additional disruptions this summer from West Coast port labor contract negotiations.”
- ◦Economy
