Total TEU volumes down 23.7%

Total container volume for May decreased 30.3% to 229,974 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Full imports declined 35.2% as imports continue to struggle due to ongoing soft demand. Multiple vessel services that have exited the trade since 2022 also contributed to the decrease in volume. Full exports for the month decreased 7.5%. Total TEUs declined 23.7% YTD to 1,142,115 TEUs, with full imports and exports declining 30.8% and 2%, respectively.

Domestic container volume decreased 5.9% YTD 2023 compared to YTD 2022. Alaska volumes decreased 4.1%, and Hawaii volumes declined 13.4%.

On May 13, KIA reached a major milestone when the 2,000,000th KIA vehicle was delivered at the Tacoma Harbor. KIA, who has been importing vehicles through Tacoma since 1995, reached 1,000,000 vehicles in August 2011. KIA’s logistics is handled by the Hyundai Automotive Group inhouse logistics provider, GLOVIS America. KIA is the first customer to reach this milestone via the gateway, and we expect others to follow. We are very thankful for the skillful service of Auto Warehousing Co., who processes KIA and other brands in Tacoma.

Other cargo stats:

• Breakbulk volume rebounded, increasing 1.7% for 176,789 metric tons YTD.
• Auto volumes were 131,876 units, up 116.2%. New General Motors business coupled with GLOVIS America’s consolidation of its KIA and Hyundai business in our gateway from September of last year will make for favorable month-over-month comparisons in 2023.

View the May 2023 cargo reports:

• Container volumes – May 2023
• Cargo statistics – May 2023