PNW ports volume down in 2008

PNW ports volume down in 2008 Containerized traffic through major Pacific Northwest ports saw overall declines during 2008, ranging from 0.1 percent in British Columbia to a double-digit loss in Seattle.
   In Oregon, the Port of Portland saw 2008 box volume decline 6.4 percent to 245,459 TEUs. Import containers (the port does not specify loaded or unloaded) were down 3.5 percent to 107,616 TEUs while export boxes dipped 8.5 percent to 137,843 TEUs.
   In Puget Sound, the Port of Seattle said container volume declined 13.6 percent to end at 1.7 million TEUs. Loaded import containers dipped 18 percent to 664,472 TEUs in 2008, while loaded export containers were off 13.7 percent to 434,546 TEUs.
   Across the bay, the Port of Tacoma saw a 3.3 percent decline in total container volumes to 1.86 million TEUs. Loaded inbound boxes decreased 6.5 percent to 648,947 TEUs. However, loaded export container volume improved 8.5 percent to 483,665 TEUs.
   The Canadian Port of Vancouver container volume was essentially flat for 2008, down 3,415 TEUs to end the year at 2.49 million TEUs. Loaded import and export containers each dropped 2 percent with imports to 1.24 million TEUs and exports at 915,465 TEUs.