By Mark Edward Nero
The 210,149 TEUs that crossed Tacoma docks last month marked the port’s busiest month since September 2005, when it handled 216,430 TEUs, according to newly-released data.
On July 22, the Port of Tacoma announced that it handled its one-millionth container of 2014 during June, and that during the same month, container volumes improved 22 percent year-over-year.
The port says last month’s TEU volumes continued to reflect the surge in imports as shippers moved inventory before the West Coast labor contract expired June 30. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association continue to work under the previous contract while negotiating a new one.
Through the first half of 2014, Tacoma handled 1,011,337 TEUs, a nine percent year-to-date increase. Additionally, full containerized imports grew 11 percent year to date to 382,264 TEUs, while exports improved seven percent to 279,841 TEUs.
Domestic volumes were up four percent to 226,947 TEUs, according to data.
Also during the first six months of the year: grain exports continued to rebound from last year’s historic low volumes, and were up 54 percent to 2,105,029 short tons; break bulk cargo grew 12 percent to 118,921 short tons; and auto imports improved 33 percent to 107,223 units.
More information about the port’s monthly container volumes during 2014 can be seen at http://portoftacoma.com/sites/default/files/ContainerVolumes-June2014.pdf.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
