April exports at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma were up 3.3 percent at 112,645 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) amid rising trade tensions. At 111,858 TEUs, import volumes through the ports, which together comprise the Northwest Seaport Alliance, were down 5.2 percent from the prior year volumes.
Total international container volumes, at 224,503 TEUs, decreased 1.1 percent from April 2017. Total container volumes declined 1.1 percent in April 2018 compared to April 2017 for a total of 279,715 TEUs.
The gateway saw fewer vessel calls in April compared to 2017 due to weather and vessel delays, impacting scheduled arrival dates and overall volumes.
The NWSA will be adding two new weekly services this spring, increasing capacity and direct call options for customers. SM Line’s new PNS service will call Terminal 18 in Seattle, while THE Alliance’s (Ocean Network Express, Hapag-Lloyd and Yang Ming) PS8 service will call Washington United Terminals in Tacoma.
Total domestic volumes in April decreased 1.1 percent to 55,212 TEUs compared to April 2017. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 6.8 percent due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest held steady.
Breakbulk cargo volume grew 29.1 percent year to date to 71,142 metric tons.
At 40,960 units, auto volume was down 24 percent year to date, mirroring the overall decline in the North American auto import market.