US Ports Log Strong April Despite Trade Policy Shifts
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U.S. ports continued to see year-over-year container volume increases in April even amid shifting trade policies in recent months.
The Port of Los Angeles during the month, a 9.4% increase from the 770,337 units reported during the same time in 2024. The port has experienced year-over-year growth during 19 of the past 21 months. For the first four months of the year, containers increased 6.2% year over year to 3,346,853.
“A strong economy and high consumer confidence propelled that growth early on, while more recently it’s been the push by importers to bring cargo in ahead of today’s tariffs,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said at a media briefing. “Moving forward — at least for the short term — we will see a softening of global trade during this period of elevated tariffs and uncertainty.”
The Port of Long Beach with container volume increasing 15.6% to 867,493 units from 750,424. This also marked the 11th consecutive month that volume increased from the prior year. Container volume for the first four months increased 23.6% to 3,403,069. But port leadership is bracing for a double-digit decline in shipments in May due to tariffs.
(Port of Los Angeles via YouTube)
“After moving the most containerized cargo of any American port in the first quarter of 2025, we are now anticipating a more than 10% drop-off in imports in May — and the effects will be felt beyond the docks,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said. “Soon, consumers could find fewer choices and higher prices on store shelves, and the job market could see impacts, given the continuing uncertainty.”
The Port of Oakland to 185,499 containers from 188,633. The slowdown was driven by market uncertainty and softening export demand. The port noted that both trends have been influenced by the recent shift in trade policy. Total container volume for the first four months of the year increased 4.3% to 787,028.
“We anticipate similar volume in May with a strong recovery in June,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “The port remains focused on service reliability, and close coordination with our partners and customers, as market dynamics continue to evolve.”
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The that combined volumes between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., increased 7.4% to 277,828 units from 258,677. The ports continued to experience strong volumes during the month as shippers brought orders forward. Full international imports increased 8.8%, which was somewhat offset by a slight decrease in full international exports. This also marked 14 consecutive months of sequential growth for full international imports.
Port Houston to 387,478 containers from 324,177. The gain set a record for container volume during April and followed a record-setting March. The port also reported that volume increased 4% year to date to 1,456,173.
“We are keenly aware of the uncertainty in the market today and are closely monitoring cargo volumes,” Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins said. “Houston, however, has long been a growth market. If you look at the past 10 years, Port Houston’s container volumes have grown faster than any other major port in the country. We are confident that over the long term, Houston will continue to be a key global gateway.”
The Georgia Ports Authority for container trade. The port experienced a 16.9% increase in volume to 515,500 containers from 441,000 the prior year. That included the Port of Savannah achieving a 17% increase, and the Appalachian Regional Port handled a record 4,241 lifts as well.
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“Manufacturers, retailers and agribusiness continue to choose Georgia’s ports to serve customers across the Southeast and the world,” GPA President Griff Lynch said. “Our operations remain business as usual with some customers front-loading supply chains to avoid disruption. With the latest news on tariffs, we’re optimistic the situation will settle down and cargo will continue to flow through Savannah and Brunswick. We’re already seeing an uptick in business for the months ahead.”
The South Carolina Ports Authority to 215,804 containers from 215,058 in 2024. Port leaders noted that container volume remained relatively consistent following two months of growth. But they pointed to rail cargo as a continuing bright spot.
“As carriers and shippers navigate current market conditions, customers can count on SC Ports and our broader port community to deliver quality port service,” SC Ports CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We excel at quickly working ships and moving goods through our terminals. We have available chassis, trucking capacity and rail connections to further speed goods to market.”
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to 751,194 TEUs. The Port of Baltimore did not have monthly numbers available.
