Total container volumes handled by the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, decreased by 15.5% in September to 285,315 TEUs.
NWSA noted that full imports and exports for September decreased by 18.9% and 21%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis.
Meanwhile, from January through September, NWSA's box volumes dropped by 7.3% to 2,633,054 TEUs, with full imports and exports down 11.4% and 21.7%, respectively.
Additionally, NWSA reported that domestic container volumes from January to September increased by 0.7% compared to the same period last year. In the meantime, Alaska volumes increased by 2.4% while Hawaii volumes declined by 6.4%.
"Reduced vessel calls continue to negatively impact NWSA import and export volumes, driven in large by congestion at other ports," stated NWSA.
The port alliance went on to add, "many major retailers built up inventories earlier in the year—contributing to weaker than normal peak-season volumes. The strong dollar is creating headwinds for many export agricultural commodities, making them less cost competitive in the global market."
Meanwhile, NWSA announced several new agreements with logistics firms, such as the new transload facility in Tacoma by J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., the leasing of terminal 10 in Seattle from Ray-Mont Logistics and the opening of a new distribution facility in Tacoma by WDS.
