NWSA Container Volumes See 2 percent Increase through November

The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s total year-to-date container volumes through November are up 2 percent, echoing the trend we saw over the last few months. Year-to-date import volumes increased 1 percent to 1,380,445TEUs (20-foot equivalent units). Meanwhile, exports were up 8 percent at 1,320,534TEUs. Total international container volume, including empties, increased 4 percent year to date to 2,700,979TEUs. Year-to-date international volumes are currently trending to be the fourth highest in our history.

Total monthly volumes for the gateway declined 13 percent over November 2016. Imports for the month of November decreased 15 percent to 123,730TEUs compared to last year. Exports were down 10 percent to 120,517TEUs. Empty exports grew 17 percent as ocean carriers continued to reposition containers to Asia to keep pace with peak-season demand.

Total domestic volumes for the month decreased 15 percent compared to the same month last. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 7 percent and are expected to end the year 8 percent lower than 2016 due to soft market conditions. 

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