Container volumes & intermodal traffic rise in Tacoma

Port of Tacoma

A 12 percent increase in full containerized imports drove Port of Tacoma container volumes up 4 percent in January. Growth in commodities such as industrial equipment, toys and electronics contributed to the increased imports over the Port's January 2011 volumes.

While international container volumes rose 8 percent in January, domestic containerized volumes (Alaska and Hawaii) dropped 5 percent. Intermodal volumes rose 19 percent during the first month of the year.

Despite these cargo gains, the U.S. economy remains fragile. In January, U.S. consumer confidence dipped slightly from December levels due to rising gasoline prices and pessimism about short-term business conditions and income prospects.

Other year-over-year Tacoma cargo results include Breakbulk volumes climbed 66 percent and log exports also rose 60 percent. The Port's total tonnage reached 1,359,805 tons, up 8 percent.

The Port expects to experience slight declines in container and intermodal volumes in February because Lunar New Year closes Chinese factories for one to two weeks in January. < Korea Shipping Gazette >