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ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index Reports Challenged Export Volumes Amid Ongoing Tariff Negotiations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index has released its August forecast, revealing that export volumes remain challenged due to ongoing tariff negotiations, while inbound volumes, particularly in the U.S. West Coast, remain strong. The index also highlights the escalating concern of trucker financial health across the industry. According to Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics, the current situation is expected to result in surges in export volumes following agreements between the U.S. and other countries, leading to increased freight costs, especially in the spot market.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index forecasts export volumes to surge as tariff negotiations continue, leading to increased freight costs, especially in the spot market.
  • Inbound volumes, particularly in the U.S. West Coast, remain strong due to front-loaded goods and retail peak shipments arriving in preparation for the fourth quarter.
  • The index highlights the escalating concern of trucker financial health across the industry, with recent closures of major West Coast drayage providers citing the current state of the market as the reason for their decision to end services.
  • The National Retail Federation's Global Port Tracker report confirms that import cargo volume at the nation's major container ports is forecasted to end 2025 at 5.6 percent below 2024's volume.
  • Tariffs are increasing consumer prices, but due to fewer imports being received, businesses will eventually experience fewer goods on shelves, with small businesses struggling to remain open altogether.
  • Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 1.45 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.89 percent unadjusted year over year in comparison to June.
  • The Port of Los Angeles handled 892,340 TEUs of cargo in June, making it the busiest June in the 117-year history of the port, with loaded imports amounting to 470,459 TEUs (10 percent more than 2024) and loaded exports landing at 126,144 TEUs (a 3 percent improvement from 2024).

Statistics:

  • Import cargo volume at the nation's major container ports is forecasted to end 2025 at 5.6 percent below 2024's volume (Source: National Retail Federation's Global Port Tracker report)
  • Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 1.45 percent seasonally adjusted month over month in July (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
  • Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 5.89 percent unadjusted year over year in comparison to June (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
  • The Port of Los Angeles handled 892,340 TEUs of cargo in June (Source: Port of Los Angeles)
  • Loaded imports at the Port of Los Angeles in June amounted to 470,459 TEUs (10 percent more than 2024) (Source: Port of Los Angeles)
  • Loaded exports at the Port of Los Angeles in June landed at 126,144 TEUs (a 3 percent improvement from 2024) (Source: Port of Los Angeles)
  • A total of 295,746 empty container units were processed at the Port of Los Angeles in June, a 7 percent increase over last year (Source: Port of Los Angeles)

Sources:

  • ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index August forecast
  • National Retail Federation's Global Port Tracker report
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • Port of Los Angeles
  • FreightWaves, "U.S. and China Agree to Roll Back Tariffs and Implement 90-Day Pause for Negotiations"
  • CloseUp Media, "T.G.S. Logistics and GSC Logistics Close After Serving Shippers for Nearly Four Decades"
  • ITS Logistics press release

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