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Top U.S. Ports Face Chaotic Global Supply Chain Changes
Seaports Adapt to Evolving Geopolitical Situation
Key Takeaways:
- Geopolitical conflict, tariffs and policy shifts are significantly influencing global supply chains, shipping costs and cargo flows at major U.S. ports.
- April container volumes were uneven, with Los Angeles posting gains while Long Beach, Houston and other ports reported declines from 2025 levels.
- Rising fuel costs and supply disruptions are increasing pressure on businesses while accelerating investments in clean energy and cybersecurity.
The largest U.S. containerports are adapting to a volatile geopolitical situation that is reshaping global supply chains and altering freight movement both internationally and domestically.
“Policy is driving this market like never before,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Geopolitics, tariffs, trade frameworks — all of it is reshaping cost, risk and cargo flow.”
Lately, the U.S. war with Iran has been at the center of the geopolitical concerns as shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have driven up fuel costs.
“The conflict in the Middle East continues to cast a long shadow on global trade,” Seroka said during a May 11 news conference. “Yet here at home, the U.S. economy continues to move forward.”
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated that gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 1.6% in the first quarter of 2026.
The U.S. economy grew at a 1.6% annualized rate in Q1, down from the 2.0% rate estimated a month ago. https://t.co/1v8N8mGzhe #GDP pic.twitter.com/dUCILRsLBG — BEA News (@BEA_News) May 28, 2026
Seroka pointed out that inflation and the job market have remained stable, while buying behavior has stayed at a near record pace.
“These are just a few of the indicators we continue to watch and see as a leading indicator here at the Port of Los Angeles as to how cargo flows may look in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.
The Port of Los Angeles processed 890,861 20-foot equivalent units in April, a 5.7% increase from the 842,806 TEUs reported a year earlier. Seroka said this growth is significant since volumes in 2025 were elevated due to importers frontloading cargo ahead of expected tariffs.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka discusses the Port’s second-best April on record, which included strong import demand despite ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and trade policy.
What’s driving this demand? American consumers. pic.twitter.com/Kseo9pDuR3 — Port of Los Angeles (@PortofLA) May 12, 2026
Cargo volumes declined, however, at the neighboring Port of Long Beach, which reported a 5.7% downturn in container volume to 817,992 TEUs in April, compared with 867,493 a year earlier. Imports were down 7.1% while exports jumped 26.7% for the month.
Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba also highlighted the effects of the Iran war on supply chains.
“The conflict in Iran is already reshaping shipping routes and raising costs that are ultimately hitting consumers through higher gas prices,” Hacegaba said during a media briefing. “As energy costs rise in the wake of the Middle East conflict, we expect to see more cost pressures across the business sector.”
Hacegaba pointed to automakers and beverage companies as two examples of sectors likely to face cost pressures since about 9% of all aluminum comes from the Middle East. He noted that the airline industry has already been facing challenges and also heard reports from container lines that bunker fuel supplies are tightening and congestion is up at fueling hubs overseas.
Global market pressures and rising fuel costs continue to reshape the supply chain and broader economy. Longshore workers and terminal operators moved 817,992 TEUs in April, a 5.7% dip from April 2025, the busiest on record.
Read more about April cargo stats on our website: pic.twitter.com/Sq8NmXQ6L4 — Port of Long Beach (@portoflongbeach) May 15, 2026
“These numbers and anecdotes tell a story of an unsustainable situation. The 21st-century economy runs on energy. Rising fuel costs are strengthening the case for energy diversification and independence,” Hacegaba said,” and that is why the Port of Long Beach is acting now by investing in zero-emissions equipment and clean shipping and truck orders.”
Port of Long Beach officials also unveiled a new cybersecurity center during the media briefing. The Cyber Defense Operations Center is dedicated to defending the port and its partners to ensure cyberattacks don’t disrupt global goods movement.
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Hacegaba
“The Port of Long Beach blocks or stops an attempted cyberattack every 3 seconds,” Hacegaba said.
Supply chain management software provider Descartes Systems Group noted in its monthly global shipping report that container import volumes decreased by 5.5% in April from the prior year to 2,277,965 TEUs. This was driven by the ongoing disruptions in the Middle East, shifting tariff policy and changing sourcing patterns.
“With geopolitical disruption, tariff uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics continuing to pressure global supply chains, greater emphasis on flexibility, cost control and more diversified sourcing strategies are key focus areas for U.S. importers,” said Jackson Wood, director of industry strategy at Descartes.
Other major seaports also saw April cargo volumes lag behind the frontloading in 2025.
• Northwest Seaport Alliance: 218,239 TEUs, down 21.4% from the same month last year.
• South Carolina Ports Authority: 183,254 TEUs, down 15.1%.
• Port Houston: 353,319 TEUs, down 9%
