South Carolina Ports Authority News Updates

Trucking companies serving the major ports across the country continued to see capacity tightening while also moving beyond difficult prior-year comparisons.

The trucking companies serving the nation’s largest seaports are still struggling against harsh market conditions even as port volumes increased in May.

The largest U.S. containerports are adapting to a volatile geopolitical situation that is reshaping global supply chains and altering freight movement.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka stressed that while cargo flows remain intact, the broader operating environment has become more unpredictable.

A combination of front-loaded cargo late last year, shifting tariff expectations and uneven inventory drawdowns shaped the softer start for U.S. ports in 2026.

U.S. port container volumes fell in November, but major gateways including Los Angeles and Long Beach remain on track for one of their strongest years on record.

Port container volumes remained strong in August as shippers angled to outmaneuver President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies while also getting a jump on the holiday season rush.

“July may be our peak season month as retailers and manufacturers bring orders in earlier than usual, then brace for trade uncertainty," said Port of Los Angeles' Gene Seroka.

U.S. port activity softened in May as tariffs weighed on trade, ending months of gains at Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Seattle-Tacoma.

The Port of Los Angeles processed 801,398 20-foot equivalent units, a 2.5% increase from the 781,434 containers in 2024. This marked the second-busiest February on record for the port.