Tacoma's container volumes bounce back in November

Container volumes through the Port of Tacoma bounced back in November, improving 3 percent compared to November 2012. The volume increase is due in large part to last-minute adjustments to retail inventories in preparation for the holiday shopping season.

Year-to-date, international container volumes are up nearly 17 percent. Full import containers improved 16 percent on the year to 632,089 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), and exports grew nearly 19 percent to 476,828 TEUs. Domestic volumes continued to lag, down 1 percent year to date to 410,869 TEUs.

Grain exports improved for the second straight month. Though volumes remain down 45 percent year to date, it marked an improvement over October and hints at a rebound following severe drought in the U.S. Midwest and increased competition from South America. < Korea Shipping Gazette >