New shipping lines boost Tacoma's July volumes

Container volumes through the Port of Tacoma jumped 20% compared to the same month last year, boosted by the addition of new shipping lines and services, as well as continued strong volumes from established customers.

The Grand Alliance began calling at Tacoma's Washington United Terminals on July 2.

The consortium includes three of the world's largest shipping lines, Hapag-Lloyd (based in Germany), Orient Overseas Container Line (Hong Kong), and NYK Line (Japan), and associated carrier ZIM Integrated Shipping (Israel).

The Port handled 146,010 TEU this year to date through July, accounting for an overall 4% improvement.

Imports and exports showed continued gains for this year to date, with full containerized imports rising nearly 16% and exports jumping 5%.

International empty containers showed promise in July with the highest monthly volume so far this year, though volumes remain down about 11% for the year to date.

The higher volumes are in part due to the Grand Alliance repositioning equipment, as well as lines preparing for increasing volumes as we move into the peak shipping season. < Korea Shipping Gazette >