Cargo Stats

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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.

Jul 17 2020

NWSA TEU volumes decline 16.4% in June

Jul 17 2020

The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled 287,036 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in June 2020, a 16.4% decrease compared to June 2019. Full imports declined 15.1%, while full exports decreased 8%.

For the first half of 2020, overall container volumes declined 18.3% compared to 2019. The NWSA handled a total of 1,564,263 TEUs year to date. Full imports declined 18.3%, while full exports decreased 9.3%.

The economic fallout from the global pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains across the country and around the world. The NWSA gateway experienced a total of 55 blank sailings through June, driven by COVID-19 and the lingering trade dispute with China.

The NWSA remains committed to handling future growth. A year after breaking ground, the Terminal 5 Modernization Project completed phase one of pile driving. The pipe piles were installed to reinforce the upland portion of the wharf and support the new super-post-Panamax cranes arriving next year.

Our total year-to-date domestic container volumes dipped 6.9%. Alaska and Hawaii volumes declined 7.5% and 3.8%, respectively.

Other cargo highlights:

  • NWSA breakbulk cargo volumes were down 1.1% year over year to 139,662 metric tons.
  • Auto volumes year to date were 66,934 units, down 30.5% year over year.

View the June 2020 cargo reports:
Jun 17 2020

Global pandemic continues to impact NWSA cargo volumes

Jun 17 2020

The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled 240,671 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May 2020, a 23.8% decrease compared to May 2019. Full imports declined 22.9% while full exports decreased 15.5%.

Through the first five months of 2020, overall container volumes declined 18.8% compared to 2019. The NWSA handled a total of 1,277,227 TEUs year to date, marking the softest five months since 2009 when the gateway moved 1,210,284 TEUs.

The economic fallout from the global pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains across the country and around the world. The NWSA gateway experienced a total of 46 blank sailings through May, driven by COVID-19 and the lingering trade dispute with China.

Our total year-to-date domestic container volumes dipped 6.3%. Alaska and Hawaii volumes declined 6.6% and 4.7%, respectively.

As seaports play a critical role in supporting the nation’s economic recovery, all marine cargo terminals in Seattle and Tacoma remain open and operational. We continue to work closely with our terminal operators, labor, warehouse companies and supply chain partners to ensure the gateway operates at a high level.

Other cargo highlights:

  • Breakbulk cargo volumes were down 1% year over year to 118,000 metric tons.
  • Auto volumes year to date were 60,018 units, down 20.6% year over year.

View the May 2020 cargo reports:
May 18 2020

NWSA container volumes in April slide 24% due to global pandemic

May 18 2020

The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled 247,675 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April 2020 as total container volumes declined 23.5% year over year. The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the global supply chain. Compared to April 2019, full imports declined 13.9% while full exports decreased 17.6%.

During the first four months of 2020, the NWSA handled 1,036,556 TEUs. Our gateway experienced a total of 39 void sailings through April, driven by the lingering trade dispute with China and the global coronavirus pandemic. As a result, total container cargo volumes are down 17.5% year to date.

Our total year-to-date domestic container volumes dipped 2.7%. Alaska and Hawaii volumes declined 2.5% and 4%, respectively.

As seaports play a critical role in supporting the nation’s economic recovery, all marine cargo terminals in Seattle and Tacoma remain open and operational. We continue to work closely with our terminal operators, labor, warehouse companies and supply chain partners on customized COVID-19 solutions to ensure the gateway operates at a high level.

Other cargo highlights:

  • Breakbulk cargo volumes were down 0.9% year over year to 90,010 metric tons.
  • NWSA auto volumes year to date were 46,224 units, down 7.8% year over year.

View the April 2020 cargo reports:

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