Import volumes at major US container ports are forecast to post their first month-on-month gain in six months during January but remain lower year on year until spring, reports New York's Maritime Logistics Professional.

The Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said January imports should rise to 2.11 million TEU, up from December, but still down 5.3 per cent compared with a year earlier. February is forecast at 1.94 million TEU, March at 1.88 million TEU and April at 2.03 million TEU, all below last year's levels. May is projected at 2.07 million TEU, the first annual increase since last August.

Jonathan Gold, NRF vice president, said retailers are coming off a busy holiday season and expect a brief bump in imports ahead of Lunar New Year factory closures in Asia. He added that retailers are hoping for more stability in tariffs and trade policy during 2026.

Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said cargo flows remain affected by trade measures introduced in 2025. He noted that governments are increasingly focused on protecting domestic industries, raising questions about the future of free trade and international cooperation.

US ports tracked handled 2.02 million TEU in November, down 2.3 per cent from October and 6.5 per cent year on year. December was projected at 1.99 million TEU, down 6.6 per cent. Imports in late 2024 were elevated by concerns over port strikes, while many retailers front-loaded cargo in 2025 to avoid tariffs.

The first half of 2025 totalled 12.53 million TEU, up 3.7 per cent year on year. Full-year 2025 volume was 25.4 million TEU, down 0.4 per cent from 25.5 million TEU in 2024. Global Port Tracker covers ports on the West, East and Gulf coasts, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah and Houston.