Major ports across the U.S. saw their volumes drop last month to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic due to a decline in imported cargo, exports and empty containers, Transport Topics reported on April 20.

The Port of Los Angeles processed 623,233 20-foot-equivalent containers in March, down 35% from last year’s 958,674.

“Economic conditions slowed global trade considerably in the first quarter; however, we are beginning to see some signs of improvement, including nine consecutive months of inflation declines,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Soroka told Transport Topics. “While March cargo volume was lower than last year at this time, early data and monthly growth indicates a moderate increase in Q3.”

Other nearby ports reported similar conditions in March. The Port of Long Beach saw a 30% decline in processed containers compared to 2022, while the Port of Oakland had a 20.6% decrease in total container volume year-over-year.

Other major U.S. ports that reported year-over-year declines in cargo in March include:

• The Northwest Seaport Alliance, which operates ports in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington: 37.3% decrease
• Port of Houston: 3% decrease
• Port of Savannah, Georgia: 17.2% decrease
• Port of Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia: 21% decrease
• Port of Charleston, South Carolina: 26% decrease
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: 25% in February

The data for those ports is according to Transport Topics.

Find more info at Transport Topics here.