NWSA YTD volumes up despite September decline

Through September, combined import volumes at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, known collectively as the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), have risen 3 percent to 1.13 million TEUs, while exports jumped 11 percent to 1.08 million TEUs.    The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), the marine cargo operating partnership of the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma, saw its total year-to-date container volumes through September rise 4 percent, led by a 7 percent increase in shipments to and from areas outside the continental United States.
   In the first nine months of 2017, import volumes at the two ports reached their highest level since 2012, according to the NWSA, rising 3 percent to 1.13 million TEUs compared with the same 2016 period. Exports, meanwhile, jumped 11 percent year-over-year to 1.08 million TEUs.
   Total international container volumes, including empties, reached their highest level since 2007, rising 7 percent to 2.22 million TEUs, NWSA data shows.
   Although YTD volumes were up, however, monthly volumes in September showed mixed results.
   Total volumes fell 5 percent last month compared to September 2016, as monthly imports decreased 14 percent to 125,384 TEUs. On the flip side, full exports were up 7 percent to 127,790 TEUs, while empty exports surged 59 percent as ocean carriers continued to shift containers back to Asia to keep pace with peak-season demand.
   Additionally, total domestic volumes for the month fell 6 percent compared to the same month last year. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 7 percent and are expected to end the year 8 percent lower than in 2016 due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest are down 4 percent year-to-date, statistics show.
   In other cargo news, the NWSA said that bulk log volumes at the ports continue to grow, driven by consistent demand from China. They were up 74 percent to 215,976 metric tons year-to-date compared with the same period last year.
   Also, other breakbulk cargo volumes grew 10 percent to 155,472 metric tons year-to-date, while autos, at 110,179 units year-to-date, were down 16 percent compared to the same period last year, which is partially a reflection of weakening U.S. demand, according to the NWSA.