Everyone knows that importers striving to avoid impending tariff increases brought in a passel of products during the first quarter of this year. In every media outlet from print newspapers to gubernatorial podcasts, images depicting seaport operations are used to frame reports about the nation’s foreign trade.

Exhibits 9 and 10 show the nation’s ten leading container gateways ranked by the declared weight and value of containerized imports during the first quarter of 2025.

At the U.S. ports we track, the year’s third month saw the number of inbound loaded TEUs increase 11.6% from a year earlier to 2,276,719 TEUs as the prospect of higher tariffs spurred importers to load up on inventory. Collectively, outbound loads from those same U.S. ports edged up by 3.6% from March 2024 to 1,123,083 TEUs.

Dwell times at the San Pedro Bay Ports improved in April 2025, with rail-destined cargo averaging 4.72 days - the lowest since April 2024. Truck-bound containers remained stable at 2.78 days for the twelfth consecutive month. This consistency reflects continued coordination and efficiency across the supply chain, even amid shifting trade volumes.

In six months, the United States will be increasing fees on Chinese ships based on vessel capacity, as part of the Trump administration’s bid to revive the domestic maritime and shipbuilding industries.

Discover key insights from the new Goods on the Move report by SCLC and LAEDC, highlighting Southern California's $497B trade and logistics industry, its challenges, and bold policy solutions for sustaining economic growth and competitiveness.

Mike Jacob, President

In this compelling commentary, PMSA President Mike Jacob critiques recent U.S. tariff policies as self-inflicted setbacks to American global economic leadership. He highlights the risks these measures pose to consumers, supply chains, and long-term industrial growth—including efforts to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding. Jacob calls for a return to trade policies that foster economic strength, global trust, and strategic maritime investment.

Natasha Villa, External Affairs Manager

Trump’s new tariffs and California’s Port ISR could raise costs on everyday goods - learn how these policies hurt working-class Americans.

U.S. West Coast ports saw a drop in containerized import market share this spring. Explore shifting coastal trends, export transport modes, and 2024’s trade data breakdown.

Explore how retaliatory tariffs are impacting California’s almond, walnut, and pistachio exports. See 2025 YTD volumes and economic effects on U.S. agriculture.

Preliminary March 2025 port data reveals a shift in market share as East and Gulf Coast ports surpass West Coast volumes. See detailed TEU stats from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Virginia, and more.

Explore February 2025 loaded container volumes for key U.S. and Canadian ports. Get in-depth insights on TEU trends, year-over-year changes, and comparisons to pre-pandemic levels in PMSA’s latest trade data update.

Jock O’Connell

Explore the impacts of proposed U.S. port-call fees on international trade, West Coast ports, and the future of American shipbuilding. Will tariffs spark a true maritime renaissance?

March 2025 dwell time data shows improved rail container movement at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with rail dwell times dropping to 6.75 days and truck times remaining steady, according to PMSA.

Despite strong opposition, AQMD moves forward with a rebranded "Ports Infrastructure Rule" aimed at regulating port operations. Learn more about the impact of this rule and the upcoming community workshop in our latest update.

Councilmember Bob Kettle

PMSA was honored as the District 4 Business Nonprofit of the Year at the 2025 BizFed Bizi Awards. This recognition highlights PMSA's commitment to supporting maritime trade and strengthening the region's supply chain.

Uncertainty in global trade is impacting investment, logistics, and competitiveness. Learn how businesses are adapting to shifting tariffs and supply chain disruptions.

West Coast ports see a surge in import volumes, with USWC handling 47% of U.S. containerized imports. Oakland aims to rebalance trade by boosting exports. Understanding export meaning and trends is key as the port implements its five-year plan. Learn more about shifting trade dynamics and exports definition.