Ports across the globe reported large increases in throughput in the first half of 2024, underlining the impact of increased demand and stockpiling in container shipping markets.
With East Coast and Gulf labour disruptions on the horizon, US importers in particular are front-loading cargo, taking a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach, just in case that supply chain woes worsen later this year.
Just two ports in the top 30 ranking registered official volume declines in the first six months. Both ports, Hong Kong and Xiamen, were in China. Hamburg, which has yet to report its Q2 figures, may also report a small contraction, with Alphaliner estimating an approximate 1% drop in its volumes year-on-year.
All other ports in the top 30 that have so far confirmed Q2 figures clocked volume gains over the full six-month period, ranging from 2.4% (Rotterdam) to 20.0% (Beibu Gulf Port). The average increase was 7.0%.
Source: Alphaliner
