U.S. ocean container imports in September 2023 increased 10.3% compared to the same month last year, setting a new record for the month, according to a report released Thursday by Descartes Systems Group. The logistics and supply-chain technology company stated that a 21.2% rise in shipments from China was a primary contributor to the overall volume increase.
The report, which analyzes U.S. customs data, detailed that total import volume for September reached 2,246,903 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), a standard measure of cargo capacity. While this figure represents a record for the month of September, it marked a 1.9% decrease from the volume recorded in August 2023.
Container import volumes are a data point used by economists and analysts to gauge consumer demand and overall economic activity.
According to the data provided by Descartes, the increase in shipments from China accounted for a significant portion of the year-over-year growth. In September 2023, imports from China totaled 914,834 TEUs, an increase of 157,117 TEUs from September 2022. This rise returned China’s share of U.S. container imports to over 40% for the first time since April 2023.
The report also noted trends from other major trading partners. Container import volumes from South Korea and India showed year-over-year increases, while volumes from Vietnam, Germany, and Thailand declined.
The data also provided insights into performance at major U.S. ports. The Port of Los Angeles handled the highest volume in September, processing 416,211 TEUs, which marked a 4.1% increase from August. The Port of Long Beach saw a 6.7% increase in volume compared to the previous month. Conversely, the Port of New York and New Jersey experienced a 9.2% decrease in container volume from August.
Descartes also reported on port transit delays, noting that average wait times across the top ten U.S. ports remained stable. In September, eight of the top ten ports had average wait times of three days or less.
“September’s record import volumes and the significant increase in trade from China show a deviation from recent logistics and supply chain performance,” said Chris Jones, EVP Industry at Descartes, in a statement accompanying the report. He added that ongoing issues such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, labor negotiations, and climate-related disruptions in Panama could affect global supply chains in the future.
Descartes Systems Group collects and analyzes logistics data from 20 U.S. ports to compile its monthly report.
