The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), an alliance between the ports of Tacoma and Seattle, handled 230,787 TEUs in November, translating to a year-over year decrease of 6.6%.
Year-to-date volume comparisons reveal a 14% decline with NWSA moving 2,711,245 TEUs. Full imports experienced a 15% drop, while full exports saw a 1.3% increase after three months of consecutive growth.
Meanwhile, Terminal 5 in the Seattle Harbor welcomed two all-electric super post-panamax cranes and three hybrid RTG cranes in November. These cranes, standing at 96.317 meters with a 73.152 meters outreach boom, are among the largest on the US West Coast.
Their addition aims to facilitate larger vessel service, supporting the growth of containerized cargo and generating employment in the region. The completion of Phase Two of the Terminal 5 Modernization Program is anticipated in Q1 2024, bringing the total area to 1,850,000 m² with on-dock rail and an estimated capacity of 1.2 million TEUs.
In other cargo statistics, total breakbulk volume decreased by 10.7% to 399,969 metric tons year-to-date. Notably, auto volumes reached 306,275 units, reflecting a remarkable 103% increase. This surge is attributed to the New General Motors business, along with GLOVIS America consolidating its KIA and Hyundai business in the gateway since November of the previous year. The return of manufacturing to pre-pandemic levels, coupled with pent-up demand for auto sales, has resulted in stronger-than-forecast volumes through the gateway.
