Top U.S. Ports In 2024

The U.S. container port market in 2024 has proven resilient, with key ports maintaining strong throughput despite challenges like labor disruptions and changing global trade dynamics.

The Port of Los Angeles retained its spot as North America's busiest container port, handling over 5.36 million TEUs, while the Port of Long Beach followed closely with 4.69 million TEUs.

Key Data Points:

• Port of Los Angeles (CA): 5.36 million TEUs, maintaining top rank.
• Port of Long Beach (CA): 4.69 million TEUs, second-largest port.
• Port of New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ): 4.16 million TEUs, leading East Coast port.

2024 Port Performance Insights:

1. West Coast Ports Maintain Dominance: Despite concerns over labor negotiations and a shift of cargo to East and Gulf Coast ports, the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach showed steady volumes in 2024, handling a combined total of over 10 million TEUs.
   
2. East Coast Ports Gain Ground: The Port of New York/New Jersey led the East Coast with 4.16 million TEUs, followed by growth in Savannah, Norfolk, and Charleston. Continued investments in infrastructure and growing cargo demand have helped solidify their roles as major trade hubs.
   
3. Gulf Coast Ports Show Strong Performance: The Port of Houston, driven by energy exports, saw continued growth in container traffic, while other Gulf Coast ports like Mobile also experienced increased volumes as shippers look for alternatives to the congested West Coast.
   
4. Baltimore Faces Setback: The Port of Baltimore experienced a decline due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024. This disruption caused cargo to shift to nearby ports like Philadelphia and Norfolk. While reconstruction efforts are underway, full recovery is uncertain, and Baltimore fell out of the top 10 ports for the first time in years.

2024 Rankings:

1. Port of Los Angeles, CA: 5.36 million TEUs
2. Port of Long Beach, CA: 4.69 million TEUs
3. Port of New York/New Jersey, NY/NJ: 4.16 million TEUs
4. Port of Savannah, GA: 2.73 million TEUs
5. Port of Houston, TX: 1.89 million TEUs

Looking Ahead:
As trade with Mexico continues to drive growth, the port rankings suggest a shifting landscape, with East and Gulf Coast ports making gains, while the West Coast ports maintain a dominant position in global trade. However, regional challenges and the impacts of major infrastructure disruptions may shape the future dynamics of U.S. container ports.