NWSA makes gradual comeback amid softening demand

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) has reported a slight increase in volumes for the past month as operations continue to suffer from ongoing disruptions.

Some TEU volumes in August showed improvements compared to July figures, with laden imports up 15 per cent and laden exports up 19 per cent.

Total container volume for the month decreased 10.4 per cent to 280,436 TEU, with full imports declining 11.1 per cent and full exports declining 9.9 per cent year-over-year.

Last month, NWSA saw decreased container volumes as the authority reported delays and service suspensions.

Year-to-date (YTD) volumes remained down compared to the same period of 2021 as vessel delays and omissions due to congestion in other ports negatively impacted volumes, according to NWSA.

READ: Excess container demand begins to fizzle out

YTD volumes declined 6.2 per cent to 2,347,740 TEU, with full imports and exports declining 10.4 per cent and 21.8 per cent respectively.

Domestic container volumes increased 0.8 per cent compared to YTD August 2021.

In July, NWSA approved a new three-year lease and operating agreement with BNSF Railway (BNSF) to operate an intermodal facility at Tacoma Harbor.