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In April, U.S. container import volumes increased 3% from March and 9.3% when compared to the same month last year, consistent with a strong and resilient economy in the face of global instability, according to data from Descartes Systems Group.
“Despite the March closure at the Port of Baltimore, U.S. imports showed strong performance in April, as they have since January 2024 as compared to 2023,” says Chris Jones, EVP industry, Descartes. “Port delays also showed continued improvement in April, as volumes at East and Gulf Coast ports have experienced little impact from either the Panama drought or Middle East conflict.”
Key takeaways:
- After Chinese imports declined significantly in March, they bounced back in April to levels seen in April 2023.
- Port transit delays continue to improve for the majority of top U.S. ports, as there has been little impact on volumes at East and Gulf Coast ports from either the Panama drought or the Middle East conflict.
- May’s metrics show continued strength in U.S. container imports following the robust first quarter of 2024.
- Global supply chain disruptions are still anticipated, however, given the ongoing conditions at the Panama and Suez Canals, upcoming labor negotiations at U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports, the Middle East conflict, and reduced U.S. port capacity caused by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.
