Supply Chain Research

The widening U.S.-China trade war has yet to crimp volumes handled by America’s largest ports. Total U.S. seaborne imports of containerized freight rose 10.7% to reach a new record of 2.67 million TEUs in October. The surge in volumes was fastest on the west coast with Seattle/Tacoma rising 19.0% and LA/Long Beach rising 15.6%. East coast ports fared less well, perhaps indicating Chinese exporters have sort to complete deliveries into the U.S. as soon as possible in case higher duties or wider coverage is applied. The counterpoint can be seen on the east coast where Norfolk’s imports fro...