Pacific Northwest box volumes rise 3.7% in September

Year-to-date container volumes are up 5 percent compared to the same period last year at the Northwest Seaport Alliance of Seattle and Tacoma.    Container volumes through the Northwest Seaport Alliance of Seattle and Tacoma improved 3.7 percent to 349,631 TEUs in September compared to the same period a year ago.
   The Pacific Northwest ports are reporting combined cargo statistics because they began operating this year as a unified entity through a new alliance structure.
   International box volumes grew 8.1 percent to 274,834 TEUs, with the balance of cargo being shipped domestically to Hawaii and Alaska.
   Container volumes are up 5 percent through the third quarter of 2015. Full containerized imports and exports of empty containers contributed to the seventh straight month of growth as retailers increased inventories for the holiday shopping season.
   Import volumes are up nearly 5 percent year-to-date to 1.08 million TEUs, and exports increased nearly 9 percent to 982,206 TEUs. Domestic volumes ticked up 1 percent.
   Full export containers fell 4 percent in September as a strong U.S. dollar, decreased demand from China and the overall weakness in global markets are making it difficult for U.S. exports. 
   The sister ports also said that auto imports continued to grow, with a 4 percent gain in September to almost 140,000 units.
   Breakbulk cargo was flat at 196,923 metric tons year-to-date. Grain, log, petroleum and molasses are also being impacted by the weak export conditions, according to the ports.
   The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s September results compared favorably with other West Coast ports. Los Angeles, the nation’s largest container port, experienced a 5.8 percent drop in container volumes for the month, while Long Beach’s throughput was up 4.1 percent. The Port of Oakland moved 4.8 percent fewer containers last month due in part to a 12.6 percent drop in loaded exports.
    In September of last year, Seattle and Tacoma were still doing business as separate facilities.