Ports

U.S. Import Volume Hits Third-Highest Monthly Level in August

U.S. containerized imports reached 2.6 million TEUs in August 2026, the third-highest monthly volume on record. The month marked a 3% increase from August 2025 and exceeded pre-pandemic August 2019 levels by 5%. Shippers accelerated cargo movements through major gateways despite tariff uncertainty, Middle East shipping disruptions, and Panama Canal capacity constraints. The gains reversed the typical July-to-August decline pattern seen in 2024 and 2025, signaling resilient late-summer demand. Eight of the nation's 10 largest container ports posted monthly increases. New York/Newark led with a 24,122-TEU gain, followed by Savannah's 22,761-TEU increase and Long Beach's 12,945-TEU rise. Houston, Charleston, Tacoma and Norfolk also reported gains. Only Oakland and Los Angeles declined. Year-to-date imports remain 0.4% below 2025 levels.