Tacoma`s container volumes improve through first six month

Through the first half of the year, Port of Tacoma container volumes increased 29% year to date to 930,794 TEU.

International container volumes improved 41% year to date, with a 40% gain in imports to 345,421 TEU and a 38% increase in exports to 260,554 TEU.

The double-digit growth continues to reflect the addition of the Grand Alliance and its associated carriers last July and positive year-to-date growth from established customers. International container volumes are expected to moderate in August, as August 2012 marked the first full month of Grand Alliance vessels calling at Tacoma.

Non-containerized cargo volumes continue to be mixed year to date: Breakbulk volumes continued to lag behind last year`s record-breaking volumes. June`s year-to-date 107,053 short tons represented a 22% decline through the first six months, though we do anticipate large shipments of agricultural equipment later this summer to bolster volumes.

Intermodal lifts improved 35% to 245,770 lifts, reflecting the strong performance of the Union Pacific domestic rail service and growing international container volumes.

Auto imports remained flat, down just half a percent. Log exports showed continued growth, up 42% to 260,362 short tons. < Korea Shipping Gazette >