As supply chain managers seek to understand demand trends, port volumes are a helpful indicator.
Maritime gateways handled 40% of international freight value in 2022, according to the Department of Transportation. As a result, keeping track of seaport volumes can be a good barometer for establishing years- and months-long trade trends nationwide.
Take the coronavirus pandemic as an example: From 2018 to 2020, the top 12 U.S. seaports were handling roughly 46 million twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo, known as TEUs. Then, during 2021 and 2022, volumes skyrocketed to more than 53 million TEUs, leading to an infamous bout of congestion and logistics delays.
In 2023, volumes at the top 12 ports normalized above pre-pandemic levels, reaching 46.67 million TEUs, just above the 2019 record. How will 2024 volumes shape up?
Tracking monthly data can help shed light on that question. Use this tracker to see total volumes for the top twelve ports in the chart below through 2023. For more real-time data, scroll down further and apply the filters on the left to see cargo volumes and historical insights by available months, coasts or select ports.
Port volumes return to pre-pandemic levels
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