Puget Sound Container Volumes Slide

The ports of Seattle and Tacoma saw combined container volumes fall 13 percent in January, continuing a trend that started in November.

 

The Puget Sound gateway handled 226,906 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month. Containerized imports plunged 21 percent to 89,982 TEUs, while exports dipped 7 percent to 81,213 TEUs. Domestic volumes to Alaska and Hawaii fell 7 percent to 55,711 TEUs.

 

Issues related to ongoing contract negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) began to affect cargo movement at U.S. West Coast ports in late October.

 

The ports continue to press the PMA and ILWU to resolve the impasse in contract negotiations. While the ports do not have a seat at the negotiating table, they have been exercising the limited options available to try to mitigate impacts on our customers and to keep cargo moving.

 

The two ports, which intend to form a Seaport Alliance, began reporting joint cargo volumes in December.