The Port of Tacoma announced today the recession continues to affect its cargo volumes. Although the Port hosted 750 ships for the first five months of this year (30 more than last year at this time), those ships have been emptier, and various types of cargo decreased from the same time last year. Container volumes for July, which typically reflect back-to-school shopping season, remain down about 15 percent this year.

The number of cars shipped through the Port also fell almost 35 percent from this time last year — a few months before the fall financial market meltdown. The summer car sales season and the federal “cash for clunkers” program, however, appear to be clearing out some of the backlog of autos, according to Port officials. Port parking lots now hold a more typical 28,000 cars — considerably down from the 45,000 peak at the end of 2008.