In January 2024, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) handled a total of 211,283 TEUs, translating to a marginal decline of 0.9% from the same month in 2023.
Overall, international trade volumes experienced a moderate increase of 0.4% year-on-year, at 165,268 TEUs. Full international imports amounted to 80,410 TEUs, reflecting a 1.7% increase compared to the previous year. Full international exports saw a more significant surge, reaching 46,215 TEUs, marking a noteworthy 19.6% rise. On the other hand, the volume of international empty TEUs stood at 38,643, indicating a notable decrease of 17.7% compared to the same period last year.
According to a statement, auto unit shipments surged by 27% this month, bolstering a consistent uptrend in international trade. Both imports and exports showcased robust growth, with imports rising by 1.7% and exports skyrocketing by 19.6% compared to the previous year.
Furthermore, NWSA, the partnership between the two US ports of Tacoma and Seattle, celebrated the inauguration of a new rail link with Eastern Washington, marking a significant development in enhancing connectivity.
Situated in Wallula, Washington, the newly operational intermodal ramp operated by Tri-Cities Intermodal (TCI) promises direct rail access for Washington’s agricultural exporters to NWSA marine terminals and global markets.
The maiden voyage from Wallula carried containerized hay destined for China, highlighting the pivotal role of NWSA’s Inland Rail Hub Initiative in amplifying U.S. export volumes through its gateway.
Meanwhile, domestic container traffic dipped by 4.9% in January 2024 compared to the same period last year, with Alaska witnessing a 6.5% decline while Hawaii experienced a 5.8% increase.
In other cargo segments, total breakbulk volume surged by 11.6%, reaching 34,833 metric tons year-to-date. The automotive sector also thrived, with shipments totalling 30,102 units, marking a notable surge of 27.1%, while strong consumer demand for automobiles continues to underpin this performance.