Container volumes stabilize at Puget Sound ports in May

Container volumes through the Puget Sound's two largest ports grew moderately in May, despite a drop in vessel calls.

Vessel calls at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma fell 5% year to date in May, but larger vessels are bringing additional cargo through the ports. Container volumes improved nearly 2% year to date in May to 1,428,057 TEU.

Containerized exports improved 2% year to date to 499,620 TEU, while imports remained flat, up 1% to 579,029 TEU. Domestic volumes were up 3% to 349,408 TEU.

In other year-to-date cargo news:
Breakbulk volumes were down 3% to 117,305 metric tons
Grain exports fell 3% to 3,426,768 metric tons
Auto imports grew 5% to 75,254 units
Molasses posted a 9% gain to 23,561 metric tons

The ports of Seattle and Tacoma plan to form The Northwest Seaport Alliance to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more cargo for the region. The ports submitted a final agreement to the Federal Maritime Commission for approval at a joint meeting June 5.

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