Despite a decline in the first eight month[ds_preview]s, the U.S. ports Seattle and Tacoma, organized in the Northwest Seaport Alliance, now report the best full-year result since 2007.
From January to December 3.615 mill. TEU were handled at the ports on the U.S. Pacific Coast. This reflects an increase of more than 2 % compared to the volumes of 2015. Full imports for the year were up 6 % to 1,391,590 TEUs and full exports increased 13 % to 984,274 TEUs, the alliance stated.
Domestic volumes saw a slight dip in 2016 as Alaska struggled with a decline in oil- and gas-related project activity due to low commodity prices. Domestic volumes decreased 1.5 % for the year.
One reason for the good result, achieved eventually, was the December. That month‘s full import volumes recorded their highest for the month over the last five years. »Following a solid November for full international imports and exports, The Northwest Seaport Alliance delivered another strong month in December with 14 % and 6 % increases, respectively, compared with December 2015«, it was added.
Decline in other segments for Seattle and Tacoma
Other segments saw worse results for 2016. Breakbulk cargo is down 23 % for the year to 181,372 metric tons as the global downturn in agricultural, mining and construction equipment, and a strong U.S. dollar impact volumes. Log exports declined 25 % for the year to 176,928 metric tons due to decreased demand in China and competition from New Zealand. Autos units fell 10 % to 165,687 units for year because of production issues as well as supply chain shifts.
The ports of Seattle and Tacoma joined forces in August 2015 to unify management of the marine cargo facilities and business to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more marine cargo and jobs for the region. Located in the Pacific Northwest in Washington state, the partner want to offer shorter U.S.-to-Asia transits, as well as a deep connection to Alaska.
