Container import volumes at major United States ports are projected to remain above 2.2 million TEUs through August before initiating a gradual slowdown during the remainder of 2026, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.
Ports monitored by the tracker handled 2.23 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in June, marking the most recent month for which final, definitive statistics are available. That total represents a 13.2 percent increase compared to June 2025, a period that suffered a steep downturn in inbound cargo shipments, though it marks a minor 0.7 percent decrease from May’s performance. During the first half of 2026, total inbound shipments reached 12.7 million TEUs, representing a 1.1 percent growth rate on an annual basis. May stands as the busiest month of the year so far, with ports processing 2.24 million TEUs.
For July, the Global Port Tracker estimated throughput at 2.21 million TEUs, which is down 7.6 percent compared to the same month in 2025. Projections for August anticipate volume reaching 2.22 million TEUs, reflecting a 4.2 percent decline from August of the previous year.
US Import Volumes and 2026 Projections
Following the late-summer shipping window, cargo volumes are expected to taper off gradually. The latest logistics forecast anticipates import numbers dropping to 2.16 million TEUs in September, which would still represent a 2.8 percent increase year-over-year. Projections for the final quarter of the year anticipate 2.13 million TEUs in October, 2.03 million TEUs in November, and 2.06 million TEUs in December.
When aggregated across the entire calendar year, the Global Port Tracker projects total 2026 imports to hit 25.5 million TEUs. This total effectively mirrors the previous year’s performance, registering a modest 0.1 percent increase over 2025 totals. The tracking methodology encompasses primary container gateways along the U.S. coastline, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma, New York/New Jersey, Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami, Jacksonville, and Houston.
Regional Port Performance and Gateway Traffic
Individual port data releases from across the country reinforce a picture of steady operational performance. Port Houston reported a record first half of the year, handling 2.23 million TEUs through June. That figure represents a 3 percent expansion compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
What Happens Next
The National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates will publish updated monthly cargo volume estimates in the next edition of the Global Port Tracker report, which incorporates final data from major U.S. ports as it becomes available.