The major Puget Sound ports of Seattle and Tacoma posted significantly differing cargo volume numbers in May, with Seattle taking a double-digit percentage drop and Tacoma posting respectable single-digit growth. May was also the second strongest single month of the calendar year for both ports.
The Port of Seattle handled a total of 172,622 TEUs in May, a 0.5 percent increase over April, but a sizable 13.3 percent decrease compared to May 2010. While May was second only to January in total containers moved by the port this year, each month of the year so far – except a dismal February – has seen very similar total container numbers.
In May, the port handled a total of 61,569 loaded inbound TEUs, a 2.1 percent drop compared to April and a massive 27.8 percent drop compared to May 2010.
On the export side, the port handled a total of 48,353 loaded outbound TEUs, a statistically insignificant 0.2 percent decrease from April, but a 1.1 percent increase compared to the same month last year.
For the first five months of the year, Seattle handled a total of 829,841 TEUs, a 1.6 percent increase over the first five months of 2010.
Down the coast, Tacoma port officials reported handling a total of 124,242 TEUs in May, a 10 percent increase over April's total numbers, but a 1 percent drop compared to May of last year.
On the import side, Tacoma moved a total of 34,227 loaded inbound TEUs in May, a 1 percent increase over April, but a notable 15.2 percent drop compared to May 2010.
On the export side of the ledger, Tacoma officials reported moving a total of 28,093 loaded outbound TEUs in May, a 3.9 percent drop compared to April's export numbers, but a 3.5 percent increase over May of last year.
Tacoma has moved a total of 589,340 TEUs during the first five months of the year, a 5.9 percent increase over the January to May period in 2010.
Friday, June 24, 2011
