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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.

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:
Apr 15 2020

NWSA’s March container volumes dip 22% due to COVID-19

Apr 15 2020

The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled 264,133 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in March 2020 as total container volumes dropped 21.6%, compared to March 2019. Full imports declined 28.2% while full exports decreased 8.6% year over year.

During the first quarter of 2020, there was a total of 32 void sailings due to a combination of lingering trade dispute and the pandemic. Of the 32 canceled sailings, 19 were in March as unprecedented disruptions from COVID-19 rippled across the global supply chain. The NWSA handled 788,882 TEUs year to date, a 15.4% decline from the same period last year. Full imports and exports declined 19.3% and 4.9%, respectively.

The NWSA terminals remain open and operating, and the overall supply chain in the Pacific Northwest is fluid. Efforts to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in the gateway are ongoing and include customized solutions to address specific needs. Information regarding our COVID-19 response are updated regularly on the NWSA website.

Despite disruptions in the international supply chain, domestic cargo volumes between the NWSA and Alaska remain healthy, ensuring that the essential household goods and emergency supplies continue to flow to the state. Alaska’s container volumes through March were up 0.9%. Overall year-to-date domestic container volumes decreased 0.9% dragged down by Hawaii, whose year-to-date volumes were down 8.2%.

Other cargo highlights:

  • Breakbulk cargo volumes were down 11.9% year over year to 62,779 metric tons.
  • NWSA auto volumes year to date were 40,555 units, down 0.5% year over year.

View the March 2020 cargo reports:
Mar 16 2020

NWSA February container volumes decline 3.1% year over year

Mar 16 2020

The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s total container volume for February 2020 was 260,932 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 3.1% decrease from February 2019. On the bright side, full exports increased 4.5%, while full imports declined 8%.

In addition to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, tariffs continue to impact overall volumes. The NWSA saw a build-up in inventories from late 2018 through early 2019 and weak demand in February 2019, making year-over-year comparisons for the month difficult. We anticipate March 2020 volumes will be deeply impacted by the COVID-19 virus, contributed by the increased ship cancellations in 2020.

Total container volumes for the first two months in 2020 were 524,749 TEUs, a 11.9% decline compared to the previous year. Imports and exports declined 15.1% and 11.9%, respectively.

Domestic container volumes for February 2020 decreased 3.3% year to date compared to 2019. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 5.2%, while Hawaii’s year-to-date volumes were up 5.2%. Hawaii volumes benefited from one additional vessel call year to date.

Other cargo volume highlights:

  • Breakbulk cargo volumes were down 8.2% year over year to 34,568 metric tons.
  • NWSA auto volumes year to date were 23,135 units, down 16.5% year over year.

View the February 2020 cargo reports:

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