The 2025 Supply Chain Shift: Strike & Tariff Concerns

Containerized imports into U.S. ports are on track for a strong finish in 2024, as importers rush to get ahead of potential labor strikes on the East and Gulf Coasts and the anticipated tariffs under the incoming Trump administration, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report.

The report, produced by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, revealed that October saw container volumes of 2.25 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across monitored ports. While this marked a slight 1.2% dip from September, it represented a robust 9.3% increase from the same period in 2023. Notably, the Port of Miami’s data for October was not included in the findings.

Proactive Moves to Mitigate Risk

The NRF highlighted importers’ efforts to mitigate potential disruptions, with many accelerating shipments to avoid economic fallout. Jonathan Gold, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, stated, “Either a strike or new tariffs would be a blow to the economy, and retailers are doing what they can to avoid the impact of either for as long as they can.” He emphasized that early imports are a practical step to safeguard the industry, consumers, and the broader economy.

The NRF called for the resumption of contract talks between port employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) while urging President-elect Trump to adopt a strategic approach to tariff implementation. The trade group expressed concerns that broad-based tariffs could negatively impact the affordability of everyday consumer goods.

Record-Setting Volumes and a Promising Outlook

November import volumes are projected at 2.17 million TEUs, repre

senting a 14.4% year-over-year increase, while December is forecast to reach 2.14 million TEUs, up 14.3%. These figures would bring the total for 2024 to 25.6 million TEUs, a 14.8% jump compared to 2023.

The surge in imports aligns with data from the Association of American Railroads, which reported record-setting intermodal container volumes in November. The influx of goods is expected to continue into 2025, with January forecast at 2.2 million TEUs, up 12% year-over-year. While February may see a slight dip due to the Lunar New Year factory shutdowns in Asia, March and April are predicted to maintain strong growth at 12.7% and 6.6%, respectively.

Protecting Shipments Amid Rising Imports

As import volumes grow and the risk of disruptions looms, businesses are increasingly focused on safeguarding their shipments. Super Dry provides reliable moisture damage prevention solutions to protect containerized goods from condensation and other transit-related risks. By ensuring product integrity, Super Dry helps companies navigate the complexities of today’s global supply chains with confidence.

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