OPINION

Commentary: Can U.S. Ports Handle a Freight Spike or Will They be Overwhelmed?

By Zhang Huafeng

Published: Jun. 6, 2025 4:26 a.m. GMT+8

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Shipping containers at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, on April 28, 2025. Photo: Bloomberg

Are Los Angeles and Long Beach heading for another port congestion crisis?

Since the United States put tariffs on hold for a 90-day trade war truce with China on May 14, the market has expected a shipping surge driven by Chinese exports. Ocean carriers have reinstated suspended services, restarted vessels lying idle, and introduced new routes — revitalizing trans-Pacific lanes.

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Capacity from Asia to North America is projected to reach 2.8 million TEUs in July.
Forecasts indicate Los Angeles and Long Beach container volumes will rise from the second week of June.
If import volumes consistently exceed 20% above normal through July, congestion risks increase.

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Who’s Who

Duke Shipping Agency LLC: Duke Shipping Agency LLC has a Chief Operating Officer named Zhang Huafeng. The organization is involved in the shipping industry.

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What Happened When

May 2021：: Port of Los Angeles processed record 520,000 TEUs; Port of Long Beach reached single-month peak of 400,000 TEUs.

May 14, 2025：: The United States put tariffs on hold for a 90-day trade war truce with China.

May 2025：: Ocean carriers reinstated suspended services, restarted idle vessels, and introduced new routes in anticipation of a shipping surge due to the tariff suspension.

June 2025：: Total capacity from Asia to North America projected to reach 2.4 million TEUs—400,000 TEUs more than May 2025.

June 2025：: Asia–U.S. West Coast capacity is reported to have a 17% year-on-year rise; East Coast capacity is up 7% year-on-year.

AI generated, for reference only

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