Container volumes through The Northwest Seaport Alliance improved 6 percent year to date in November—the ninth consecutive month of growth.

Containerized exports improved 11 percent year to date to 1,209,562 TEUs on the strength of Washington state’s agricultural sector. The state is home to one of the most productive growing regions in the world, and NWSA terminals provide easy access to markets overseas.

Containerized imports rose 5 percent year to date to 1,322,486 TEUs, while domestic volumes remained flat at 807,009 TEUs. Through the first 11 months of the year, the NWSA has handled 3,339,057 TEUs.

November’s container volumes appear particularly robust when compared to November 2014, with an increase of 18 percent. That month marked the beginning of the West Coast port disruptions during contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association.

Auto imports continued to be strong in November, up 7 percent year to date to 168,893 units. Breakbulk volumes and grain, log, petroleum and molasses exports continue to be impacted by a weaker export market and strong U.S. dollar.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

View the November 2015 cargo reports:

• Container volumes - November 2015
• Cargo statistics - November 2015