U.S. Port Traffic Surges as Container Imports Hit 15-Month Growth Streak
The nation’s ten largest ports saw a 14.2% year-over-year increase in inbound container volumes in December, marking the fifteenth consecutive month of growth, according to the latest analysis by shipping expert John McCown.
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“This sustained surge follows 15 straight months of double-digit declines compared to the pandemic-driven volume spikes,” McCown notes in his report.
For the full year 2024, inbound container volumes grew by 15.2% over 2023, the second-highest annual increase on record, trailing only 2021’s 17.5% rise. In contrast, outbound load growth lagged at just 4.4%.
Comparing current figures to pre-pandemic levels, McCown highlights that December 2024’s inbound volumes were 24.2% higher than December 2019, reflecting a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%—outpacing the historical 3.8% CAGR from 2010 to 2020.
“This data suggests a resilient U.S. economy, outperforming global trends based on the movement of tangible goods,” the report states. McCown also challenges claims that the surge is driven by front-loading, calling such assertions anecdotal and unsupported by data.
Looking ahead, McCown projects long-term annual container volume growth at 2.7%. While slower than past trends, he believes container shipping will remain dominant due to economies of scale achieved by modern mega-vessels.
“Container shipping’s efficiency advantage is often overlooked. Even at a 2.7% growth rate, volumes will double in 26 years—a crucial consideration for port planners,” McCown adds.
Despite strong inbound numbers, December saw a reversal in outbound container growth, which turned negative after two months of gains. This continued decline in exports underscores the ongoing imbalance in U.S. maritime trade.
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