By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Tacoma says that productivity issues plaguing it and other US West Coast ports the past few months resulted in Tacoma’s container volumes to drop eight percent in November compared to the same month in 2013.
The Port of Tacoma says that productivity issues plaguing it and other US West Coast ports the past few months resulted in Tacoma’s container volumes to drop eight percent in November compared to the same month in 2013.
It marked the end of eight consecutive months of growth at
the port, according to data released Dec. 18.
Tacoma handled 140,218 TEUs in November, bringing calendar year-to-date
volumes to 1.9 million TEUs. For the year, Tacoma’s container volumes are up
9.3 percent.
Tacoma says that grain exports experienced a bumper crop
this year and are returning to normal following last year’s historic lows. Grain
exports are up 53 percent year to date to 3.9 million short tons according to
data.
Auto imports, intermodal lifts and breakbulk cargo also
posted gains, while log exports continued to decline, something the port says
reflects decreased demand in China.
Although full containerized imports have grown 12.8 percent
year to date through November to 713,047 TEUs, most of those gains occurred
earlier in the year. Exports for the year have increased 4.2 percent to 496,686
TEUs, and domestic volumes have improved 3.8 percent to 426,816 TEUs, port
numbers state.
