US container ports are expected to experience a near-record surge in inbound cargo this month as retailers stock up before a potential strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates’ Global Port Tracker report reveals that many retailers are preemptively shipping goods earlier and shifting cargo to West Coast ports due to stalled contract negotiations with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), whose contract expires on September 30. The report indicates a substantial increase in container volumes, with June handling 2.16 million TEUs, up 17.7% year over year. July and August are projected to see similar high volumes, reaching 2.34 million TEUs each, the highest since May 2022. This surge is driven by retailers’ concerns over potential labour disruptions and rising freight rates, which have prompted a shift of cargo to West Coast ports, increasing their share above 50% for the first time in over three years.
