The North Star Awards Nomination Period is Now Open Through June 30, 2025!
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle + Tacoma) Weekly Volumes & Metrics Report 5/12/25
Given the rapid changes in trade policy and the uncertainty these changes bring, the NWSA will be compiling and regularly releasing the latest data on cargo movement through our gateway.
The Port of Tacoma on May 9, 2025.
Current schedules show 17 expected void sailing for May/June, 5 more than the same period last year and out of scheduled 116. The full vessel schedule, including vessels currently at berth and the 4-week look ahead, can be found here.
Import volumes continue to be up. The last week of April was 27.8% higher than the 2024 April average. Export volume trends will be released with our monthly numbers next week, but the decline in truck transactions could be a result of lower export volumes as well as lower vessel volumes for the week ending April 25.
The Port of Seattle on May 13, 2025.
NWSA statement on May 11 announcement re: tariff reduction with China
Any reduction in tariffs for our exporters and importers will help the movement of cargo and goods to American families and the jobs that support the supply chain. But these reductions don’t undo the consequences of their implementation. The uncertainty, market disruption, cargo fluctuation, and lost business caused by the initial and remaining tariffs is still a significant concern.
Both reductions in cargo and surges have consequences that impact the supply chain. Consistency is a requirement of a fluid supply chain and the jobs that depend on it.
Vessel Calls
Week Ending April 25 – 13 Voyages (2 Void Sailings)
Week Ending May 2 - 13 Voyages (1 Void Sailing)
Week Ending May 9 – 12 Voyages (1 Void Sailing)
Week Ending May 16 – 12 Voyage (2 Void Sailings)
Weekly International Import Containers
Week Ending May 2 - 15,118 containers imported
+10.3% vs 2025 YTD Average (13,710)
+11.2% vs 2024 Weekly Average (13,592)
+27.6% vs April 2024 Weekly Average (11,850)
Weekly Truck Transactions (Containers In/Out of Terminal via Truck)
Week Ending May 2 - 21,658 truck transactions
-14.6% vs 2025 YTD Average (25,371)
-16.0% vs April 2024 (25,787)
Weekly Vessel Lifts (Containers On/Off a Vessel)
Week Ending May 2 - 30,821
+7.0% vs 2025 YTD Average (28,814)
+17.8% vs April 2024 (26,158)
*Includes Empty Container Moves
Anecdotal Information from NWSA Customers
We have heard from several importers that they have paused a majority of their shipments from China. Some have noted that imports are being slowed or halted completely. Seasonal items are at risk of being held indefinitely, if the seasonal window lapses before tariffs are resolved.
Exporters are reporting cancelled orders to Chinese markets or no new orders to Chinese markets, and some are looking for alternative markets for their goods that were already prepared to go overseas. Some goods made it the docks but were cancelled and then had to be picked back up by the exporter, which can significantly add to the cost.
We have yet to hear directly how the reduction of tariffs with China announced May 11 will change behavior, though we expect some importers to use the window of lowered rates to move goods in, but the remaining tariffs will likely still heavily impact the exporter community.
Monthly Statistics
The NWSA will release its full monthly breakdown for April with the next weekly report. March’s numbers can be found here.