NWSA May 2018 import volumes increase
May imports at The Northwest Seaport Alliance reached their highest level since 2010 at 131,067 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), marking a 0.7 percent increase from last May. At 114,227 TEUs, export volumes were down 11.2 percent from the prior year volumes but above the five-year average.
Total international container volumes, at 245,294 TEUs, decreased 5.2 percent year over year. May 2017 volumes were inflated due to an overlap in old and new vessel services during the launch of the new carrier alliances.
The NWSA added two new weekly services in May 2018, increasing capacity and direct call options for customers. SM Line’s new PNS service began at Terminal 18 in Seattle, while THE Alliance’s (Ocean Network Express, Hapag-Lloyd and Yang Ming) PS8 service called for the first time at Washington United Terminals in Tacoma.
Total domestic volumes in May decreased 1.3 percent to 63,950 TEUs compared to May 2017. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 5.3 percent due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest were down 0.9 percent.
Total container volumes declined 4.4 percent in May 2018 compared to May 2017 for a total of 309,243 TEUs. Total YTD volumes are down 5.1 percent.
Other cargo highlights:
- Breakbulk cargo volume grew 34.8 percent year to date to 97,057 metric tons.
- At 50,881 units, auto volume was down 15 percent year to date, mirroring the overall decline in the North American auto import market.
View the May 2018 cargo reports: