June cargo volumes hit 2.23 million TEU but are set to decline in July and August amid new tariffs and supply chain shifts.
Major US ports processed 2.23 million twenty-foot equivalent units in June, a 13.2% year-on-year rise driven by importers rushing shipments ahead of new tariffs. The figure fell 0.7% from May’s peak of 2.24 million TEU, marking the busiest month of the year so far.
Forecasts show July volumes dropping to 2.21 million TEU, a 7.6% decline from last year, while August is expected to see 2.22 million TEU, down 4.2%. Despite the slowdown, imports remain elevated compared to 2025 projections for the rest of the year.
The National Retail Federation attributed the shift to US tariff policy changes, including new Section 301 duties on imports from 60 countries. Retailers accelerated shipments to avoid higher costs, while Middle East supply disruptions added further pressure.