NWSA Import Volumes Rise in May 2018

May imports at the Northwest Seaport Alliance of Seattle and Tacoma reached their highest level since 2010 this year.

At 131,067 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), import volumes were 0.7 percent above last May's total.

Export volumes of 114,227 TEUs marked a 11.2 percent decrease from the prior year, but were still above the five-year average.

At 245,294 TEUs, the total international container volumes decreased 5.2 percent over the year, with the May 2017 volumes having been inflated during the launch of the new carrier alliances. Compared to May 2017, total container volumes declined 4.4 percent in May 2018 for a total of 309,243 TEUs. Total YTD volumes are down 5.1 percent.

Compared to May 2017, total domestic volumes decreased 1.3 percent in May 2018 to 63,950 TEUs. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes were down 5.3 percent due to soft market conditions, and Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest were down 0.9 percent.

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 PS8 service called for the first time at Washington United Terminals in Tacoma.

Breakbulk cargo volume grew 34.8 percent this year to date to 97,057 metric tons.

At 50,881 units, auto volumes were down 15 percent year to date, mirroring the overall decline in the North American auto import market.