NWSA 2022 total TEU volumes down 9.4%

Total container volume for the month decreased 8.8% to 231,799 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). While full imports declined 12.4%, full exports grew 14.9%—the first increase in over a year. Full-year volumes declined 9.4% to 3,384,018 TEUs, with full imports and exports declining 14.1% and 19.7%, respectively. Imports were impacted by high inventories, and exports were impacted by the strong dollar, ongoing tariffs in key markets, and lower vessel capacity from voided sailings.

Washington United Terminals (WUT) will be receiving two additional super post-Panamax cranes in the second quarter of 2023. These new ZPMC cranes will boast a 24-wide container row reach, a lift above crane rail of 175 feet, and a lift capacity of 65 long-tons using a spreader and 100 long-tons with a cargo beam. The cranes are expected to be operational in mid-July following the commissioning period. This investment will further expand on WUT’s capability to handle the larger vessels being deployed in the NWSA gateway.

Domestic container volumes decreased 1.3% compared to 2021. Alaska volumes decreased 0.2% while Hawaii volumes declined 5.6%.

• At 342,351 metric tons, 2022 was a record-breaking year for breakbulk cargo handled at NWSA-operated breakbulk terminals. Across all facilities, breakbulk cargo volumes grew 30.7% for 478,455 metric tons in 2022.
• Auto volumes were 172,979 units, up 6.5% over 2021. Auto volumes were given a boost due to GLOVIS America’s consolidation of its Kia and Hyundai automobiles to our gateway.

View the December 2022 cargo reports:

• Container volumes – December 2022
• Cargo statistics – December 2022