West Coast Imports Fall In February
Ports on the West Coast of the U.S. saw the "busiest seven months in history," according to Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, which then ended in February. A recent article by Supply Chain Dive indicates much of the sudden dip in imports is due to 2018's global trade chaos, citing primarily the U.S.-China trade wars and the threats of tariffs.
Representatives from the Port of Oakland said in a press release shipments spiked in 2018 as many businesses rushed cargo to the U.S. before any tariff increases were implemented. This created a slowdown in imports, which the Port of Oakland said is due to "jammed warehouses and delays in tariff hikes."
Many East Coast ports have not yet reported their numbers, but the Port of Charleston, Port of Virginia and The Jacksonville Port Authority also showed month-over-month decreases in total loaded TEU imports for February, according to Supply Chain Dive.
