NWSA’s October container volumes up nearly 10 percent

The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s total monthly container volumes for October reached 333,995 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 9.9 percent increase over the same month last year.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance import volumes increased to 144,925 TEUs, a 20.7 percent increase compared to October 2017. At 134,096 TEUs, export volumes were up 7.2 percent from the prior year volumes. Total international container volumes for the month rose 13.8 percent year over year at 279,020 TEUs.

International volumes for the month were the strongest since October 2005, our highest October on record. Monthly volumes benefited from a surge in imports as shippers continue to send cargo ahead of tariffs.

“As we approach January, the uncertainty of the tariffs is driving our import customers to re-examine their supply chains and explore new strategies,” said Tong Zhu, NWSA’s chief commercial officer and chief strategy officer. “Regardless of the impacts, our team at The Northwest Seaport Alliance is committed to supporting our customers and implementing innovative solutions to move cargo through our gateway.”

Total domestic volumes in October decreased 6.6 percent to 54,974 TEUs compared to October 2017. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 4.4 percent due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest were down 2.2 percent year to date. Total year-to-date container volumes are up 1.3 percent.

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