U.S. Container Import Volumes in September 2024
In September 2024, U.S. container imports reached 2,520,935 TEUs, just 1.4% below the year’s peak in July, which was 2,556,180 TEUs, and up 1.7% from August’s total of 2,479,284 TEUs – according to Descartes.
Compared to September last year, this month’s volumes represent a substantial year-over-year increase of 14.4% and a 23.5% rise over pre-pandemic levels from 2019. Of note, even with these higher import volumes, transit delays have improved at most major U.S. ports.
Container import volumes at the top 10 U.S. ports saw increases and decreases. Per Descartes data, the ports of Long Beach (up 50,401 TEUs), Charleston (up 13,357 TEUs), and Baltimore (up 6,144 TEUs) reported the largest gains. Conversely, the ports of New York/New Jersey (down 19,731 TEUs), Savannah (down 7,730 TEUs), and Tacoma (down 2,435 TEUs) saw the most significant month-over-month decreases.
Port of Rotterdam Reports 2.2% Increase in Container Volume
Container volume at the Port of Rotterdam rose by 2.2% in the first nine months of this year, handling a total of 10.4 million TEUs. This included 5.4 million TEUs in imports and nearly 5 million TEUs in exports. The port attributes this growth to an increase in consumer spending in Europe following a period of reduced purchasing power.
The port stated in their press release that due to uncertainties because of reroutes around the Cape of Good Hope have led to an early peak season during the summer. While in September, “some services were diverted via other ports. Volumes in Rotterdam were therefore lower this month.”