U.S./Mexico Cross Border

Supply Chain News

SoCal Port Container Volumes Experience Tariff-Driven Whipsaw Effect

Container volumes at the SoCal Ports of Los Angeles (POLA) and Long Beach (POLB) saw mixed results for June. With an 8% year-over-year (YoY) growth, the POLA reported its highest-volume June in the Port’s 117 years of operation. For the POLB, container volumes fell 16.4% YoY in June. Through the 1st half of 2025, POLA volume increased 5% YoY, whereas POLB volume was up 10.6% YoY. Gene Seroka, POLA Executive Director, observed that June’s strong performance highlights the ongoing tariff-driven whipsaw effect, as shipments paused during a period of high China tariffs (145%) and resumed during a 90-day pause with 30% tariffs until the August deadline.

On June 26, 2025, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. and China had agreed on a trade deal with U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports at 30%, while China’s duty rate on goods from the U.S. will be at 10%. An additional 20% fentanyl levy on China will also stay in place. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, U.S. levies on Chinese goods averaged 51.1% for most imports before the China trade deal was announced, while China’s duties on American products were at 32.6%. Read more at Logistics Management and FreightWaves.

POLB Terminal Operator ITS Announces Start of Terminal Expansion Project

The Port of Long Beach Terminal Operator, ITS (International Transportation Services), has announced the groundbreaking of a terminal expansion project that will increase capacity by 50%. The $365 million “South Slip Fill Project” includes filling in a 19-acre horseshoe gap and a 560-foot expansion of the wharf, which will enable the berth of two 18,000 TEU container vessels simultaneously – a significant step forward in handling the next generation of ultra-large ships and increasing overall Terminal throughput. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2028. Read more at Maritime Executive.

POLA Signs Agreement to Promote Exports from CA Central Valley

The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) signed a memorandum of agreement with the City of Shafter and “The Wonderful Co.” in California’s Central Valley to increase the volume of U.S. exports passing through the SoCal Port. The agreement includes a commitment by the Wonderful Co. to construct a new international rail Terminal at the “Wonderful Logistics Center”, a 3,400-acre, master-planned industrial development in Shafter, 18 miles from Bakersfield on the BNSF railroad main line. The logistics hub and container depot already serve major companies, including Amazon, Ross, Target, and Walmart. The agreement also supports the Port’s ongoing efforts to utilize surplus empty containers more effectively and enhance logistics for agricultural exporters. The new international rail Terminal is scheduled to open in 2026. Read more at Port Technology.

Prologis Reports Leasing Pipeline at Historically High Levels

The top Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Prologis, reported the company’s leasing pipeline of 130 million SF was up 19% year-over-year (YoY) in the 2nd quarter 2025 and now stands at “historically high levels”. According to Hamid Moghadam, Prologis CEO, leasing activity slumped 20% shortly after April’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements, but now that the “broader economic uncertainty begins to clear”, leased space utilization is increasing, and “demand is piling up”. Prologis’ portfolio ended the 2nd quarter 95.1% occupied, which is 2.9% ahead of the broader market. Roughly one-third of Prologis’ leasing activity in the quarter came from Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers. Read more at FreightWaves.

Schneider Reports Top Mexico Cross-Border Intermodal Rail Performance

U.S. Motor Carrier Schneider National reports top Mexico cross-border intermodal rail performance through its strategic alliance with the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail network. According to Schneider, the average trip from Mexico to Chicago is up to three days faster than the industry average of seven days. Utilizing the CPKC rail-only bridge over the Rio Grande in Laredo, equipped with high-speed digital imaging, x-ray systems, and inspection portals, allows for the inspection of trains while in motion, providing enhanced speed and top-tier security with a 99.98% cross-border security rate. In 2024, Schneider’s cross-border service grew twice as fast as Mexico’s total cross-border intermodal market growth rate of 17%.  Intermodal, now Schneider’s fastest-growing segment, serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, appliances, food, produce, electronics, and tires. In late 2024, the company added direct service from Mexico and Texas to the Southeast U.S. Read more at AJOT.

U.S. Logistics Firms Continue to Invest in Mexico Cross-Border Facilities

U.S. global logistics firms continue to invest in new supply chain facilities in Laredo, TX, to accelerate cross-border commerce. Delafield, WI-based Evans Transportation opened its first office in Laredo in June. A full-service third-party provider of custom logistics solutions, Evans provides dry van, flatbed, oversize freight, intermodal, transloading, warehousing, and supply chain management services. Charles Miller, Evans’ COO, stated: “We are excited to expand our footprint in Laredo – the largest port in North America. “This new office underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients and their suppliers by providing specialized support for Mexico and cross-border transportation.”

Houston-based Westore Frozen recently began construction of a $40 million cold storage facility in Laredo. The 180K SF structure will feature 100K SF of frozen cold storage space, specifically designed to support large-scale imports of frozen produce and proteins from Mexico and Latin America. Company officials stated: “As consumer demand for frozen food continues to grow – particularly imports flowing through Texas border hubs – Westore Frozen’s expanded footprint aims to capture a greater share of that volume. “The company is investing heavily in infrastructure and logistics to support national and international growth.” Read more at FreightWaves.

Amazon Celebrates Deployment of One Millionth Robot

Amazon celebrated the deployment of its one millionth robot as the company continues to advance its automation efforts across its global network of over 300 facilities. The company’s increasing investments in automation and AI have robots on track to outnumber Amazon’s total number of human employees. According to Amazon’s most recent Earnings Report, the company currently employs 1.56 million people. Tye Brady, chief technologist for Amazon Robotics, told the Wall Street Journal in an interview that the new robots are not meant to displace worker jobs, but make them easier. Scott Dresser, Amazon Robotics VP, stated: “These robots work alongside our employees, handling heavy lifting and repetitive tasks while creating new opportunities for our front-line operators to develop technical skills,… many focused on working with advanced technologies.” Read more at FreightWaves.