Amid uncertain freight volume forecasts for the remainder of 2025, operations at most U.S. ports are currently running at normal levels, according to a monthly report from ITS Logistics.
The exception to that rule is smaller ports that are now facing strain from rising project freight imports, the Nevada-based 3PL said in its “US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index.”
“Congestion, trucking operations, equipment availability, and distribution center receiving capacity are absorbing inbound container flow and are at normal levels,” Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics, said in a release. “However, nearshoring efforts and renewed emphasis on domestic manufacturing have driven a recent uptick in project freight that could strain specialized equipment capacity—especially for hazmat, oversized, and breakbulk cargo.”
Overall U.S. container volume for June was up 1.8% month-over-month to 2,217,675 TEUs, falling short of expectations for another major volume surge ahead of the Trump Administration’s July 9 tariff deadline. Even still, the Port of Los Angeles recorded its busiest June on record, citing an 8% increase from 2024 volumes. The rush to beat tariff deadlines — which have now been postponed to August 1 for several countries — has resulted in multiple inventory frontloading events that industry experts say have triggered an early peak season.
While that rush has been the theme for the first half of the year, the remainder of 2025 faces uncertain forecasts under frontloading trends and tariff volatility, the report said. And while this time of year is traditionally marked by rising imports of fall and winter retail goods, the current stability has many industry leaders worried about market health for the remainder of 2025.
Compounding this uncertainty is the ongoing volatility of U.S. tariff policies, which has led many shippers to quickly pivot their sourcing strategies, often shifting countries of origin within a matter of months rather than years. This rapid response has prompted the use of alternative North American entry points and new ocean carrier partnerships, reshaping traditional freight flow patterns and requiring heightened logistical agility.
However, ITS says that despite recent volume spikes, inland transportation drayage rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, providing short-term relief for shippers but increasing pressure on the trucking market. That dynamic has prompted several larger, established drayage providers to exit the industry, further limiting capacity.
