US Container Ports: Real-Time Data on Congestion, Capacity & Volume

Main
US Container ports

TOP PORTS

Active tracking

AVG UTILIZATION

100.3%

High pressure

TOTAL CAPACITY

52.5 M

TEU/year

YTD VOLUME

50.0 M

+3,5 Yoy

Data: Q1 2026 Last Updated: May 9, 2026 Sources: BTS, Port Authorities, PMSA

Critical

Long Beach

LTM Volume

9.7 M

Capacity

10.0 M

Utilization

97.4%

Yoy Growt:

-5.7%
Critical

Los Angeles

LTM Volume

9.0 M

Capacity

2.4 M

Utilization

378.0%

Yoy Growt:

-4.6%
Critical

New Jersey

LTM Volume

9.0 M

Capacity

9.2 M

Utilization

97.8%

Yoy Growt:

+4.0%
High

Savannah

LTM Volume

5.3 M

Capacity

6.5 M

Utilization

82.2%

Yoy Growt:

-7.0%
Critical

Houston

LTM Volume

4.4 M

Capacity

4.5 M

Utilization

98.7%

Yoy Growt:

+18.0%
Optimal

Virginia

LTM Volume

3.1 M

Capacity

4.0 M

Utilization

76.4%

Yoy Growt:

+5.8%
Optimal

Tacoma

LTM Volume

2.5 M

Capacity

4.6 M

Utilization

54.2%

Yoy Growt:

-19.4%
Optimal

Charleston

LTM Volume

1.7 M

Capacity

3.2 M

Utilization

52.1%

Yoy Growt:

-9.0%
Optimal

Oakland

LTM Volume

1.6 M

Capacity

2.8 M

Utilization

55.8%

Yoy Growt:

-5.5%
Optimal

Jacksonville

LTM Volume

1.5 M

Capacity

2.2 M

Utilization

69.2%

Yoy Growt:

+14.0%
Optimal

Port Everglades

LTM Volume

1.1 M

Capacity

1.6 M

Utilization

70.0%

Yoy Growt:

+7.6%
Optimal

Miami

LTM Volume

1.1 M

Capacity

1.5 M

Utilization

72.0%

Yoy Growt:

+2.4%

What This Reveals:

Current wait times at LA/Long Beach, Houston, Newark, Seattle Port efficiency trends (improving or worsening) Alternative port opportunities with lower congestion Seasonal bottleneck patterns

Strategic Business
Applications:

Route Optimization:

Ship to Oakland instead of LA when congestion differs by 5+ days

Customer Communications:

Proactively inform buyers about realistic delivery windows

Cost Forecasting:

High congestion = higher detention/demurrage fees to budget

Shipment Timing:

Accelerate orders when ports are clear, delay when backed up

Money-Saving Insight:

Port congestion above 80% typically adds 7-14 days transit time and increases last-mile costs by 15-25%. Switching to alternate ports during peak congestion can save thousands per container.