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In May 2025, U.S. ports experienced a notable slump in container ship arrivals triggered by the reimposition of tariffs on Chinese imports. The shipping community braced for prolonged disruption, but the impact may be stabilizing faster than initially expected.
At Portcast, our latest analysis of container vessel traffic through June 10 reveals emerging signs of normalization in port activity, with recovery underway in key indicators, including vessel arrivals, waiting times, and dwell durations.
Portcast Data Reveals Key Trends in Container Arrivals
- Vessel arrivals to U.S. ports are gradually recovering, especially from Southeast Asia, after a sharp decline in May.
- Waiting times near U.S. ports have decreased since late May, reflecting improved berth availability and a decrease in the number of vessels at anchorage.
- Dwell times are stabilizing, with the average duration per port dropping from highs of 20 hours to around 14–16 hours in early June.
- China port congestion is increasing, with both waiting times and vessels at anchorage rising. This coincides with the recent easing of tariffs under EO 14298, prompting vessels to resume direct calls to Chinese ports.
- Southeast Asia is seeing reduced congestion, likely because vessels that were rerouted there during the tariff uncertainty are now returning to China.
You can also access our live spreadsheet to explore this data yourself—filter by region to see how container traffic is trending based on your specific needs.
Recovery or Realignment?
While the full impact of the tariff landscape is still unfolding, early indicators suggest that U.S. ports and carriers are adapting to the disruption with relative agility. The current rebound in arrivals, shorter port stays, and easing queues all point to a market recalibrating under pressure.
With sourcing strategies shifting and new customs workflows being tested, visibility into real-time port and vessel performance is more critical than ever.
How Portcast Can Help
Whether you’re a manufacturer navigating rerouted shipments or a freight forwarder managing client expectations, Portcast provides predictive analytics that delivers early warnings, explains disruptions, and helps you plan around them.
- Track how your shipments are impacted
- Get real-time port congestion and dwell time insights
- Plan ahead with predictive ETAs and risk forecasts
Stay ahead of the next disruption—get in touch with us today.‍
