This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
4/9/2026
Import volumes at major U.S. ports has not been significantly affected by the Iran conflict, but ocean carriers are experiencing a related increase in fuel costs that could eventually affect retailers and their customers, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report issued by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates LLC.
Although U.S. retailers don’t import a lot of merchandise from the Middle East, the nation’s supply chain is affected by turmoil there, said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold in a press release.
“The supply chain is global and disruptions anywhere along it can have ripple effects whether it’s rerouting of vessels, equipment out of position, higher fuel costs for shippers or rising gas prices,” he said. “Retailers are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and working with their transportation partners to minimize any impact.”
In March, U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled an estimated 1.97 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 8.3% year over year. April container volume is forecasted at 2.08 million TEUs, which would be 5.6% lower than volume in April 2025.
Global Port Tracker also projects the following container volumes and year-over-year outcomes at major U.S. ports for the next several months: May at 2.09 million TEUs, up 7.3%; June at 2.1 million TEUs, up 6.9%; July at 2.2 million TEUs, down 8%; and August at 2.18 million TEUs, down 6%.
“Those numbers would bring the first half of 2026 to 12.3 million TEUs, down 1.8% from 12.53 million TEUs during the same period in 2025,” NRF and Hackett Associates officials said.