Tacoma sees 4.5% growth in breakbulk exports

Tacoma sees 4.5% growth in breakbulk exports The Port of Tacoma said Tuesday that increased exports of agricultural, mining and construction equipment is strengthening non-containerized exports through the Northwest port, leading to 4.5 percent growth in breakbulk exports compared to 2006.
   “We continue to see strong movement of machinery and equipment, both inbound and westbound,” said John Bush, the port's senior director of operations, in a statement. “We are forecasting continued growth. In fact, by 2010, we expect our breakbulk volumes to grow another 18 percent above current volumes.”
   In 2006, the port handled 129,259 short tons of breakbulk cargo, the most since 1998.
   While breakbulk exports grow, the port continues to handle significant volumes of imports, including structural steel from Korea and wire rod from China.
   “Wire rod volumes alone are up 50 percent this year,” Bush said. “We expect cargoes like this to grow in the coming years.”