Port of Tacoma container volumes continued to climb in July, posting a 6 percent gain year over year and marking the fifth consecutive month of growth.
July’s strong volumes signaled the start of the traditional peak shipping season, as retailers prepare for the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.
It follows unusually robust container volumes over the last few months, when shippers moved inventory ahead of the June 30 expiration of the West Coast labor contract. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association continue to work under the previous contract while they negotiate a new one.
Through the first seven months of the year, Tacoma has handled 1,167,123 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), an 8 percent increase year to date. Full imports were up 10 percent to 441,113 TEUs (20-foot equivalents), and exports rose 8 percent to 319,221 TEUs. Domestic volumes grew 2 percent to 264,990 TEUs.
In other year-to-date cargo news:
- Grain exports grew 75 percent to 2,398,775 short tons, as volumes returned to normal following last year’s historic lows
- Breakbulk cargo improved 8 percent to 133,044 short tons
- Log exports fell 25 percent to 242,266 short tons, reflecting decreased demand from China
Find the July cargo reports in the sidebar under "Downloads."
