Seaport alliance container volumes top 3 million in October

The Northwest Seaport Alliance saw container volumes surpass the 3 million mark in October, a 5% increase year to date.

Containerized exports fueled the growth, posting a 9% gain over October 2014. Import volumes declined slightly, signaling the end of the peak shipping season when retailers increase inventories ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Through the first 10 months of the year, imports rose 4% to 1,208,091 TEU, and exports grew 9% to 1,102,194 TEU. Domestic volumes to Alaska and Hawaii remained flat, up 1% to 748,769 TEU.

Auto imports also continued to post gains in October—up more than 6% year to date to 154,291 units—as the 2016 models began arriving. Meanwhile, year-to-date breakbulk cargo volumes and grain, log, petroleum and molasses exports continue to be impacted by a weaker export market.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

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