Figure 1 shows the ratio of laden imports between the East and West Coast North America ports. A figure higher than 1 represents more volumes being handled by the West Coast ports, whereas a value lower than 1 means more volumes being handled by the East Coast ports. Up until the end of 2022, the trend was a downwards one, moving in favour of the East Coast ports. At its lowest point, the ratio dropped to 0.88 in December 2022. This was followed by a return to parity by mid-2023, but it was well within the normal volatility seen over the course of the decade. In the months that followed, there was no further drop, with the ratio hovering between 1.0-1.1 in favour of the West Coast ports. What is different this time, is that after the prolonged level of stability, there has been no further continuation of the downwards trend, and instead, in the second half of 2024, the ratio increased sharply, peaking at 1.22 in October 2024, and staying at 1.20 in both November and December. (....)