NWSA-operated breakbulk terminals set new record

NWSA full-year 2021 volumes improved 12.5% to 3,736,206 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with full imports growing 16.8% and full exports declining 12.5%. Full imports were fueled by strong consumer demand, while full exports were impacted by a shortage of equipment and space.

NWSA handled 254,102 TEUs in December 2021, a 15.8% decrease from the same month last year. Full imports declined 20.6%, while full exports decreased 36.3%. The December volume decline can be partially attributed to weather-related terminal closures.

Terminal 5 (T5), in the Seattle Harbor, re-opened for business this month with the arrival of the MSC Monterey. Completion of Phase One of the T5 Modernization Project adds berth and terminal capacity to the gateway while expanding our big-ship handling capabilities. The newly modernized terminal features on-dock rail, shore power, a reconfigured berth, four new super-post Panamax cranes, and additional reefer plugs.

Domestic volumes grew 8.7% compared to 2020. Alaska volumes increased 5.6% while Hawaii volumes grew 22.8%.

Other cargo stats:

• Total breakbulk grew 25.6% over 2020 volume to 366,184 metric tons. NWSA-operated terminals (EB1, Blair, and Terminal 7) handled 238,714 metric tons, surpassing the previous record (237,098 metric tons) handled in 2012. Strong volumes were driven by unprecedented container rates and supply chain congestion, which caused shippers to utilize ro-ro vessels.
• Auto volumes were 162,484 units, up 4% over 2020.

View the December 2021 cargo reports:

• Container volumes – December 2021
• Cargo statistics – December 2021