November’s laden import and export volumes recorded their strongest for the month over the last five years. Full imports and exports for November reflect a continued solid peak season at The Northwest Seaport Alliance, with 28 percent and 23 percent increases, respectively, compared with November 2015. The NWSA had four more international vessel calls in November than October and three more than in last November.

To support strong imports and agricultural exports during this year’s peak season, the NWSA added three weeks to its extended service hours program by reimbursing the terminal operators up to $2 million. The top import commodities moving through our gateway include furniture, apparel, toys/games and footwear. The top export commodities moving through our gateway include hay, forest products, apples and potatoes.

Year to date, laden imports are up 6 percent to 1,268,049 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) and full exports increased 14 percent to 897,785 TEUs. The year’s total container volumes are up almost 2 percent through November to 3,299,538 TEUs. 

Year to date, domestic volumes have been down as Alaska struggles with a decrease in oil- and gas-related project activity due to low commodity prices. November’s overall domestic volume showed an increase due to additional sailing, compared to the prior year.

In other cargo news:

• Breakbulk cargo is down 24 percent year to date to 165,836 metric tons as the global downturn in agricultural, mining and construction equipment, and a strong U.S. dollar impact volumes.
• Log exports declined 36 percent year to date to 150,962 metric tons due to decreased demand in China and competition from New Zealand.
• Autos fell 10 percent to 151,985 units for the month because of production issues as well as supply chain shifts.

View the November 2016 cargo reports:

• Container volumes – November 2016
• Cargo statistics – November 2016