Ports See Strong July Cargo Gains From Tariff Frontloading
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U.S. ports continued to see strong results as the impact of importers frontloading cargo to avoid tariffs remained a factor in July.
The Port of Los Angeles with container volume increasing 8.5% to 1,019,837 20-foot-equivalent units from 939,600 last year. The port has seen generally positive results this year, handling 5% more containers at 5,975,649 during the first seven months of this year compared with the same period last year.
“Shippers have been frontloading their cargo for months to get ahead of tariffs and recent activity at America’s top port really tells that story,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Port terminals in July were jam-packed with ships loaded with cargo, processed without any delay — much to the credit of our dedicated longshore workers, terminal and rail operators, truckers and supply chain partners.”
The Port of Long Beach and the third busiest month in its history. The port reported that volume increased 7% to 944,232 units from 882,376 during the same time last year. It also highlighted that imports rose 7.6% and exports declined 12.9%. Year to date, the port moved 10% more containers at 5,690,863 TEUs.
“Retailers are now seeing the arrival of goods that were purchased for lower costs during the temporary pause placed on tariffs and retaliatory tariffs earlier this year,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by shifting trade policies, our Supply Chain Information Highway digital tracking tool forecasts that cargo will be down about 10% in the second half of 2025, resulting in a flat year for volume.”
The Port of Oakland to 203,145 containers from 184,467. The port also credited the increase to importers moving cargo early to get ahead of proposed tariffs. It reported its highest monthly import total so far in 2025. Full exports also increased 10.1%.
“The pending tariffs created a clear incentive for importers to push cargo through in advance, giving us a strong month across the board,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “As that front-loaded cargo works its way through the supply chain, we anticipate a more moderate pace in the months ahead.”
The that combined volumes between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., decreased 6% to 249,578 units from 265,504. Full international imports increased sequentially but not year over year. The alliance noted that both volume variances were driven by ongoing market volatility from tariffs and a strong prior-year period when the ports handled a surge of cargo diversions from labor disruptions. NWSA also announced the launch of an international rail cargo incentive to promote incremental rail volume.
Port Houston to 392,829 containers from 325,357. The port’s volume also increased 18.4% sequentially from the 331,864 units reported in June. Year to date, volume has increased 5.7% to 2,562,506 containers from 2,423,474.
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The South Carolina Ports Authority reported container volume decreased 5% to 213,177 containers from 224,407. Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon set a record for rail moves during the month. The authority also noted that construction continues on two key infrastructure projects at the Port of Charleston that will bolster rail capabilities and capacity.
“The investments SC Ports makes today, with backing from our state leaders, keep our port system ready to meet projected demand,” said SC Ports President Barbara Melvin. “The continued growth of our inland rail facilities, and our commitment to enhancing efficiency for our customers, necessitated this critical infrastructure expansion, and will keep SC Ports competitive as a top 10 U.S. container port for decades to come.”
The Georgia Ports Authority, as well as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, did not have their monthly numbers available at press time.
