The Port of Tacoma handled this year’s 1 millionth container in June, and container volumes improved 22 percent year-over-year.
The 210,149 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) that crossed Tacoma docks in June marked the Port’s busiest month since September 2005, when it handled 216,430 TEUs.
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, representing U.S. West Coast longshore labor, and the Pacific Maritime Association, representing the shipping lines, continue to work under the previous contract while they negotiate a new one.
Tacoma handled 1,011,337 TEUs through the first half of the year, a 9 percent increase year to date. Full containerized imports grew 11 percent year to date to 382,264 TEUs, while exports improved 7 percent to 279,841 TEUs. Domestic volumes were up 4 percent to 226,947 TEUs.
In other year-to-date cargo news:
- Grain exports continued to rebound from last year’s historic low volumes, up 54 percent to 2,105,029 short tons.
- Breakbulk cargo—items too big or bulky to fit in a container—grew 12 percent to 118,921 short tons.
- Auto imports improved 33 percent to 107,223 units, reflecting the recovering U.S. economy and low interest rates.
Find the June cargo reports in the sidebar under "Downloads."
