Port of Tacoma Container Volumes Continue Growth

By George Backwell June 23, 2014

The Port of Tacoma informs that its container volumes increased 17 percent in May, 2014, marking the third straight month of year-over-year growth.

Volumes continue to grow as shippers move cargo and equipment ahead of the traditional summer peak shipping season, in part to avoid possible supply chain disruptions as contract negotiations continue between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association. The current contract with U.S. West Coast dockworkers expires June 30.

Tacoma saw both containerized imports and exports grow year to date through May. Full imports improved 7 percent to 300,411 TEUs, and full exports rose 7 percent to 227,489 TEUs. Empty containers were also up nearly 7 percent to 93,591 TEUs. The majority of the empty containers were traveling westbound, back to Asia.

Year to date in May, the Port’s container volumes have grown 5 percent to 798,278 TEUs.

In other year-to-date cargo news:

Grain exports, auto imports and breakbulk volumes were up 48 percent, 12 percent and 15 percent respectively
Intermodal lifts were flat
Log exports continued to slide, down 23 percent