New York container traffic fell in 2008

New York container traffic fell in 2008 The Port of New York and New Jersey said that due to the economic downturn, container cargo volumes in 2008 were down for the first time since 1993.
   The agency said total 2008 container traffic in the port was 5.27 million loaded and empty TEUs, compared to 5.3 million TEUs in 2007. The agency said it expected this decreased activity to continue during 2009.
   Over the long term, the agency said it continues to project cargo growth and said it is investing in on-dock rail and other infrastructure to support the growth.
   Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, 'After many years of rising container volumes, our port isn't accustomed to flat growth. Still, we're pleased that we outperformed other major U.S. ports and we'll continue to invest heavily in our port — as a driver of job creation and economic recovery in the short-term, and to support our region's long-term prosperity.'
   Port of New York and New Jersey terminal operator data reported that loaded TEUs in 2008 totaled nearly 4.2 million TEUs. Loaded imports were 2.5 million TEU down 2.7 percent from 2007, and exports were 1.6 million TEU, up 9.4 percent.
   The port's total general cargo volume, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Census, increased to 33.6 million metric tons in 2008, compared to 32.8 million metric tons in 2007. General cargo imports totaled 22.1 million metric tons, an increase of 0.2 percent. General cargo exports increased 7.2 percent, from 10.8 million metric tons in 2007 to 11.5 million metric tons in 2008.
   Total bulk cargo was up 1.6 percent to 55.3 million metric tons in 2008, compared to 54.4 million metric tons in 2007. Total bulk cargo imports, led by decreases in mineral fuel/oil, salt and sulfur, and beverages, declined from 47.1 million metric tons in 2007 to 45.3 million metric tons in 2008.
   Total bulk cargo exports, led by increases in mineral fuel/oil, iron and steel and miscellaneous chemical products, increased by 36.7 percent, from 7.3 million metric tons in 2007 to 10 million metric tons in 2008. Total cargo volume by weight (bulk and general cargo combined), grew by 1.9 percent, from 87.2 million metric tons in 2007 to 88.9 million metric tons in 2008.