The Global Port Tracker report, issued by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, said retailers are accelerating shipments to avoid tariff increases expected in August linked to forced labour.

Jonathan Gold, NRF vice-president, said the early peak season reflects efforts to bring goods in before new tariffs raise costs. He noted consumers continue to spend despite economic headwinds, though affordability remains a key factor.

The previous monthly record was 2.4 million TEU in May 2022 during the post-pandemic rebound. May 2026 volumes rose 15 per cent from a year earlier, when imports slumped after "Liberation Day" tariffs were announced.

June figures are not yet final, but GPT estimates throughput at 2.33 million TEU, up 19 per cent. That would bring first-half imports to 12.77 million TEU, a 2 per cent gain compared with the same period in 2025.