Total container volume for Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) decreased 24.1% year-on-year in November falling to 247,034 TEUs, with full imports and exports declining 31.1% and 17.5% respectively.
Year-to-date volumes declined 9.5% to 3,152,217 TEUs, with full imports and exports declining 14.2% and 21.8%, respectively.
Moreover, according to the alliance of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, the early arrival of holiday-related goods led to weaker-than-normal import peak-season volumes, and void sailings by ocean carriers contributed to the YoY volume declines.
Exporters continue to face headwinds from a strong dollar, ongoing tariffs in key markets, and lower vessel capacity from voided sailings, according to the NWSA’s announcement.
The Mid-Willamette Valley Intermodal Center opened in mid-December in Millersburg, Oregon. The new inland rail facility provides a critical link for agricultural exports from the area to international container terminals in Seattle and Tacoma.
Furthermore, approximately 81% of exported agricultural products from the Mid-Willamette Valley are loaded onto vessels in the NWSA gateway, and the facility will provide ag shippers with a cost-effective option to get their goods to market.
