Descartes: U.S. container import volumes have been exceptionally strong over peak season this year
Descartes Systems Group has released its December Global Shipping Report for logistics and supply chain professionals. In November 2024, U.S. container import volume decreased 5% from October 2024, which is consistent with seasonal month-over-month declines seen in previous years, though smaller than the 9% decrease over the same period in 2023.
Imports from China also declined, though November volumes are 13.3% higher than the same month in 2023, underscoring the continued strength of U.S.–China trade. The December update of the logistics metrics monitored by Descartes continues to demonstrate the strong performance of container imports in 2024; however, the potential introduction of new tariffs by the incoming Trump administration, stalled ILA/USMX contract negotiations, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East may put pressure on global supply chains throughout the balance of the year.
At 2,368,758 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), November U.S. container import volume dipped for the first time in four months below 2.4 million TEUs—a level that previously led to port congestion and delays during the pandemic (see Figure 1). Versus November 2023, volume in November 2024 was higher by 12.8%, and up a significant 24.6% from pre-pandemic November 2019. Notably, total imports for the first 11 months (25,829,192 TEUs) of 2024 have already surpassed the 12-month total (24,957,640 TEUs) for 2023—by 871,552 TEUs or 3.5%.
“November has traditionally been a softer month than October; however, compared to the past six years, this year’s month-over-month decline is the smallest by volume (down 125,877 TEUs) (see Figure 2),” said Jackson Wood, Director, Industry Strategy at Descartes. “While front-loading shipments due to heightened uncertainty around labour unrest and tariffs is a possibility, U.S. container import volumes have been exceptionally strong over peak season this year and, overall, robust throughout 2024.”
