The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s total year-to-date container volumes through October are up 4 percent.

Year-to-date import volumes increased 2 percent to 1,256,714 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units). Meanwhile, exports were up 10 percent at 1,200,018 TEUs. Total international container volume, including empties increased 6 percent year to date to 2,456,732 TEUs. YTD international volumes are currently trending to be the fourth-highest in our history.

Total monthly volumes for the gateway declined 2 percent over October 2016. Imports for the month of October decreased 6 percent to 119,943 TEUs compared to last year. Exports were up 1 percent to 120,196 TEUs. Empty exports grew 46 percent as ocean carriers continued to reposition containers to Asia to keep pace with peak-season demand.

Total domestic volumes for the month increased 1 percent compared to the same month last year as Alaska cargo increased 2 percent. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 6 percent and are expected to end the year 8 percent lower than 2016 due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest are down 4 percent year to date.

Other cargo highlights:

• Log volumes remain positive year to date. They were up 43 percent to 215,976 metric tons year to date compared with the same period last year.
• Other breakbulk cargo volume was up 13 percent to 171,952 metric tons year to date.
• Weakening U.S. demand and a shift in manufacturing locations continue to impact auto volumes. At 120,263 units year to date, autos were down 14 percent compared to the same period last year.