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Monthly cargo reports

We are the fourth-largest container gateway in North America, and our regional marine cargo facilities are also a major center for bulk, breakbulk, project/heavy-lift cargoes, automobiles and trucks. We report volumes each month.

Sep 17 2018

NWSA’s container volumes dip in August

Sep 17 2018

Total monthly container volumes in August 2018 dropped 6.9 percent compared to the same month last year, for a total of 314,321 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Contributing factors included weather conditions in Asia, which caused vessel delays and threw ships off schedule.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance import volumes reached 125,385 TEUs, a 2.4 percent decrease compared to August 2017. At 121,853 TEUs, export volumes were down 10.5 percent from the prior year volumes. Total international container volumes decreased 6.6 percent year over year at 247,238 TEUs.

Despite the dip in volumes, the NWSA celebrated a big infrastructure milestone in August as all four super-post-Panamax cranes at Husky Terminal in our South Harbor went into service, allowing bigger ships to berth without stow restrictions. Evergreen also began introducing larger ships for two of its services in Tacoma.

Total domestic volumes in August decreased 8.2 percent to 67,083 TEUs compared to August 2017. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 5 percent due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest were down 2.6 percent.

Total year-to-date volumes are down 1.7 percent.

Other cargo highlights:

  • Breakbulk cargo volume grew 27.2 percent year to date to 159,004 metric tons.
  • Auto volume was down 10.2 percent year to date to 87,091 units.

View the August 2018 cargo reports:
Aug 17 2018

NWSA July 2018 volumes up nearly 11 percent

Aug 17 2018

The Northwest Seaport Alliance recorded its best July import volumes since 2010 at 139,567 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), an 18.3 percent increase compared to the same month a year ago. At 122,571 TEUs, export volumes also reached their highest level since 2005 and were up 11 percent from the prior year volumes.

Total international container volumes increased 14.8 percent year over year at 262,139 TEUs.

July volumes validated the strong peak season forecasted by importers. Shippers may also be shipping ahead of planned tariffs.

Meanwhile, these strong international volumes were offset by weak domestic volumes. Total domestic volumes in July decreased 3.4 percent to 65,324 TEUs compared to July 2017. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 4.2 percent due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest were down 3 percent.

While total overall container volumes were moderated by the dip in domestics, the numbers remain positive: a 10.6 percent increase in July 2018 compared to July 2017 for a total of 327,462 TEUs. Total year-to-date volumes are down 0.8 percent.

Other cargo highlights:

  • Breakbulk cargo volume grew 27.6 percent year to date to 138,184 metric tons.
  • Auto volume was down 4.9 percent year to date to 78,424 units.

View the July 2018 cargo reports:
Jul 19 2018

NWSA June 2018 volumes show 8.6 percent increase

Jul 19 2018

June imports at The Northwest Seaport Alliance reached their highest level since 2010 at 144,491 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), with an 8.8 percent increase from last June. At 143,220 TEUs, export volumes reached their highest level since 2005 and were up 14 percent from the prior year volumes. Total international container volumes, at 287,711 TEUs, increased 11.3 percent year over year.

June volumes foreshadow the strong peak season forecasted by importers. In addition, shippers may be shipping ahead of planned tariffs.

Total domestic volumes in June decreased 2.2 percent to 63,573 TEUs compared to June 2017. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 4.5 percent due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest were down 2.3 percent.

Total container volumes increased 8.6 percent in June 2018 compared to June 2017 for a total of 351,284 TEUs. Total year-to-date volumes are down 2.7 percent.

Other cargo highlights:

  • Breakbulk cargo volume grew 29.3 percent year to date to 120,544 metric tons.
  • At 68,053 units, auto volume was down 8.6 percent year to date.

View the June 2018 cargo reports:

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