North American container traffic showed a mixed but overall softer performance in February 2026, with declining import volumes at a national level masking significant divergence across key ports.
Early forecasts pointed to weakness. The National Retail Federation projected that major US ports would handle around 2.01 million TEUs of inbound cargo in February, a slight year-on-year decline. Meanwhile, Descartes Systems Group estimated a sharper 6.5% drop across all US ports, highlighting softer demand conditions and shifting trade flows.
However, actual port data reveals a more nuanced picture.
On the US West Coast, the Port of Los Angeles continued to outperform, handling 433,812 inbound loaded TEUs in February — up 5.0% year-on-year and significantly above pre-pandemic levels. Export volumes also rose, though they remain below 2019 benchmarks, underscoring a persistent imbalance in transpacific trade.
The nearby Port of Long Beach saw a slight dip in inbound volumes but maintained strong gains relative to 2019, confirming that Southern California remains a resilient gateway despite broader market softness.
Further north, conditions were less favourable. The Port of Oakland recorded a sharp year-on-year decline in inbound traffic, while the Northwest Seaport Alliance continued to lag significantly behind pre-COVID levels. The ongoing underperformance in the Pacific Northwest highlights structural shifts in routing and competitive pressure from other gateways.
In contrast, Canadian ports continued to demonstrate relative strength. The Port of Vancouver reported strong inbound growth, remaining well above pre-pandemic volumes, while the Port of Prince Rupert posted exceptionally strong year-on-year gains, reflecting its growing role as a strategic transpacific entry point.
On the US East and Gulf Coasts, performance was mixed but generally stable. The Port of Norfolk continued to show resilience, with volumes exceeding pre-2019 levels, while the Port of Charleston experienced a weaker month despite remaining above historical benchmarks.
Meanwhile, Port Houston stood out as a key growth story, with strong gains in both imports and exports. The port’s year-to-date volumes are now significantly above pre-pandemic levels, underlining the Gulf Coast’s increasing importance in North American trade flows.
Overall, February’s data suggests that while North American container traffic is softening at an aggregate level, underlying port dynamics remain highly fragmented. Southern California and Canadian gateways continue to capture transpacific flows, while some West Coast and Southeast ports face more volatile demand patterns.
The divergence reflects ongoing shifts in supply chains, routing strategies, and regional competitiveness — trends that are likely to persist as global trade adjusts to evolving economic conditions and geopolitical uncertainty.
Source: PMSA
