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International Cooperation Department
Tel.: (+86-21) 65853850-8034
Fax: (+86-21) 65373125
E-mail: ICDept@sisi-smu.org
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International Shipping |
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| LA port cargo volumes drop amid tariff uncertainty, but relief expected |
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Date:2025-06-19 Readers:
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IMPORTS to the busiest US seaport at Los Angeles dropped 9 per cent year on year in May and could remain muted through the remainder of 2025.
The port handled the equivalent of 355,950 TEU of imports in May, according to Reuters.
This follows the responses by companies to President Donald Trump's 145 per cent tariffs on China by cancelling or putting holds on shipments, according to port officials.
The sharp drop in cargo volume last month marks the port's slowest May in more than two years and ends a 10-month streak of year-over-year growth, officials said.
The port handled a total of 716,619 TEU in May, a 5 per cent decline from a year earlier and 19 per cent less than April.
China is the top US supplier of seaborne goods, and Los Angeles is the No 1 port for those imports.
Domestic businesses ranging from retailer Walmart to automaker Ford rely on the toys, furniture and auto parts that land on its docks.
"May marked our lowest monthly volume in over two years," Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said.
"Many importers just simply slammed on the brakes."
China and the US last week agreed to maintain that lower rate, potentially defusing a high-stakes trade dispute.
Ocean shipping company Maersk in a customer advisory last Thursday said volumes from China to the US are rising following the May 12 tariff adjustment to 30 per cent.
Port executives and shipping consultants also expect imports from China to rebound, albeit at a more moderate level as 30 per cent duties represent a significant cost increase for importers.
Mr Seroka said cargo for June appears to have returned to normal levels with a dozen ships at the port last Friday.
"It's one of the very few double-digit ship days we've had in weeks," he added.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9250600000459
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