United States container ports

While consumer demand increased quickly when lockdowns were lifted, manufacturers and distributors of goods were stymied by worker shortages and a lack of key components and raw materials.

Many of containers were going back empty due to the rush by shippers to bring in imports of back-to-school supplies and fall fashions from Asia.

[7] In late 2021 and the first month of 2022, container ships have remained at American ports unloading goods for seven days on average, 21 percent higher than at the start of the pandemic.

In early 2022, politicians and central bankers worked to tame inflation as businesses continued to struggle to manufacture and distribute their products.

[13] By September 2022, the backlog at U.S. ports decreased partially due to slowing U.S. import volumes amid high inflation and rising interest rates.