NWSA September imports, exports rise; total volumes flat for the year

Full imports for the month of September improved 4 percent compared to the same month last year, while full exports grew 6 percent. Year to date 2016, full imports are up 3 percent to 1,017,199 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) and full exports increased 12 percent to 713,579 TEUs.

Total container volumes are essentially flat year-to-date through September, down less than one percent to 2,657,481 TEUs. Weak empty and domestic volumes continue to drag down overall container volume growth. Domestic volumes are down 3 percent year to date as Alaska struggles with a decrease in oil- and gas-related project activity due to low commodity prices.

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