March saw Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA) container volumes reaching 261,495 TEUs, marking an 8.5% growth over the same month in 2023.
Year-to-date volume comparisons indicate a 2.9% increase to 699,382 TEUs, with full imports rising by 5.6% and full exports by 14.8%.
Moreover, full international exports extended a growth streak for the seventh consecutive month, rising by 15.6% compared to March 2023. Meanwhile, full international imports soared by 17.1%, contributing to a 9.5% increase in total international volumes.
Also, auto unit volumes surged by 9.5%, propelled by sustained voyage reliability and heightened vessel calls throughout March, resulting in a robust conclusion to the NWSA’s container business for the first quarter.
To further enhance international container rail cargo volumes and service delivery, the NWSA is launching a cargo and service incentive program, backed by a US$11 million commitment. This initiative aims to boost intermodal cargo volume, ensure vessel schedule reliability, and expand marine terminal operations.
Starting 1 May, the incentives will encompass programs such as the Voyage Consistency & On-Time Arrival Award Program, the International Container Rail Cargo Incentive, and a Gate Operations Incentive.
Domestic container volume for the year-to-date in 2024 increased by 1.8% compared to the same period in 2023. Notably, Alaska volumes surged by 4.9%, while Hawaii volumes saw a decline of 11.3%.
In other cargo statistics, total breakbulk volume surged by 20.8%, reaching 120,282 metric tons year-to-date. Auto volumes stood at 89,703 units, reflecting a robust 9.5% increase, driven by sustained consumer demand for automobiles.
