Storms at the Port: Why U.S. Manufacturing Is a Safer Bet

Port of LA TEU volumes with disruptions annotated (2005–2024)

Chart: Port of Los Angeles container volumes (TEU, 2005–2024) with key disruptions annotated. Values are illustrative for trend visualization.

Twenty Years in Data

The Port of Los Angeles has been the pulse point of America’s trade flows—and a stress test for global supply chains. From labor actions to tariff waves and COVID-era congestion, disruptions at the Port show up in the data and in delivery times, inventory levels, and P&L lines.

2008–09: Global recession; volumes dropped sharply.
2012: Clerical strike closed major terminals for eight days.
2014–15: ILWU–PMA contract dispute; extended slowdowns.
2018–19: Section 301 tariffs; importers front‑loaded shipments, then pulled back.
2020–22: COVID dip, then record 2021 surge and historic congestion.
2023–24: Labor brinkmanship and new tariff rounds shaped routing decisions and timing.

Tariff Whiplash: Policy changes spur short‑term “rushes,” then demand lulls—complicating procurement and production planning.

Beyond China: Mexico has faced tariff and duty adjustments too (steel, aluminum, ag). Cross‑border exposure still carries policy risk.

Lesson Learned: The farther the supply chain, the more points of failure—at the dock, on the rail, and on the road.

Why U.S. Manufacturing Is a Smart Hedge

Import dependence looks cheap until it isn’t. A strike, a tariff, or a policy shift can turn savings into scramble. Building closer to customers changes the math.

Resilience: Shorter chains, fewer choke points.
Tariff Shield: Domestic production avoids trade‑policy roulette.
Speed to Market: Faster iterations, tighter inventory, better service levels.
Quality & Compliance: Strong process control and clear regulatory frameworks.

Talk to CRATIV about U.S. production

What About Mexico?

Nearshoring to Mexico reduces transit time versus trans‑Pacific shipping, but it does not eliminate exposure to U.S.‑imposed tariff shifts or cross‑border friction. When trade policy tightens—or when categories like steel or aluminum see duty changes—costs and lead time reliability can still move the wrong way.

The Bottom Line

The Port of Los Angeles will remain a critical gateway. But two decades of data say the same thing: relying on it as your lifeline introduces systemic risk. For organizations that value resilience and predictable costs, investing in U.S. manufacturing isn’t just patriotic—it’s strategic.

Note: The chart values above are simplified for clear visualization of trends and disruptions, not a replacement for official TEU statistics.