An unknown error led to a major catastrophe Tuesday morning at the Port of Long Beach where dozens of shipping containers fell from a cargo ship as it was attempting to reach the terminal.

The accident destabilized the ship, causing more containers to fall, many of which ended up in the ocean. The number of containers lost has totaled more than 60, and authorities were still concerned about additional containers falling as of Tuesday evening.

  • It’s unclear at this point if promtional products were in the containers.
  • Officials have claimed that the vessel was coming from China with goods that included clothing and electronics with final destinations that included large retailers as well as small mom-and-pop storefronts.
  • It can be assumed that many items have been lost in the accident.


It’s unclear at this point what caused the accident as such an incident is highly out of the ordinary.

  • Operations to salvage the containers and products, while clearing the space where the incident occured, may possibly cause congestion and delays in the port and ensuing delays in supply chain deliveries.


More Tariff Impacts On Port Traffic Incoming

According to the National Retail Federation’s Global Port Tracker, the U.S. port tracker is assumed to decline for the rest of 2025 due to the toll that tariffs have taken on imports.

  • Imports boosted upwards in July as importers tried to get ahead of threatened tariffs.
  • August is projected to be down 1.7% compared to 2024.
  • The declines for the next four months are expected to be even steeper.


“Retailers have stocked up as much as they can ahead of tariff increases, but the uncertainty of U.S. trade policy is making it impossible to make the long-term plans that are critical to future business success,” says Jonathan Gold, NRF’s vice president for supply chain and customs policy. “These tariffs and disruptions to the supply chain are adding costs that will ultimately lead to higher prices for American consumers.”

The Supreme Court recently approved President Trump’s request to quickly decide on the legality of the global tariffs that he has both threatened and executed.

  • The precedings for this case will begin as soon as September 19, and oral arguments may occur as early as mid-November.
  • The Supreme Court represents the highest court in the nation, so a final ruling and possible resolution could be on the horizon.