Cargo frontloading peaks in July as inventory holding costs surge

The Port of Los Angeles saw record volumes last month, but the influx is putting added pressure on the middle mile, with costs soon expected to flow downstream.

Waves of cargo frontloading have created a large swell of inventory stockpiling, putting pressure on the middle mile of the supply chain, according to an Aug. 13 press briefing from the Port of Los Angeles.The port reported its highest single-month volume of handled cargo in July as companies moved in goods ahead of the installation of the Trump administration’s country-specific reciprocal tariffs.“Not surprisingly, much of this volume was fueled by importers hustling to bring in cargo ahead of potential tariff hikes later this month and beyond,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka during the briefing.

Waves of cargo frontloading have created a large swell of inventory stockpiling, putting pressure on the middle mile of the supply chain, according to an Aug. 13 press briefing from the Port of Los Angeles.The port reported its highest single-month volume of handled cargo in July as companies moved in goods ahead of the installation of the Trump administration’s country-specific reciprocal tariffs.“Not surprisingly, much of this volume was fueled by importers hustling to bring in cargo ahead of potential tariff hikes later this month and beyond,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka during the briefing.