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The imposition of steep tariffs by the U.S. government has led to a significant downturn in container ship arrivals at major U.S. ports. Notably, the Port of Los Angeles is experiencing a projected 35% decline in shipments from China, with expectations of one-fourth of scheduled ship arrivals in May being cancelled.
Anchored Fleets and Rising Dwell Times
Portcast's real-time data reveals the following emerging trends.
The trend of container vessels waiting around the U.S. coast:
- A growing number of container vessels are anchored off the U.S. coast, awaiting berthing slots.
- The total waiting time for these container ships has significantly increased in recent weeks, while other regions like China and Southeast Asia have seen a drop in waiting times.
- Additionally, the average dwell time per ship around the U.S. coast has risen, indicating delays in cargo processing.
The trend of container vessels approaching the U.S. coast:
- The number of container vessels heading toward U.S. ports has begun to decline, based on the 7-day rolling average.
- While the average speed of vessels approaching U.S. ports has remained steady for now, a slowdown is likely in the coming days.
This situation is compounded by a surge in "blank sailings," where scheduled shipments are cancelled due to decreased demand. The global container shipping industry is experiencing a 13% spike in cancellations, expected to rise to 28%, largely attributed to the effects of the new tariffs and the escalating trade war, particularly with China.
Update – June 2025: Signs of recovery are emerging at U.S. ports, with vessel arrivals improving and dwell times decreasing. Explore the latest trends in our recent blog, which features a live spreadsheet tracking container arrival trends.
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