Port of Tacoma international container volumes improved 20 percent year to date in October, even as peak shipping season began winding down, Port officials announced this week.

Total container volumes improved 34 percent over the same month last year, with 165,173 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) crossing Tacoma’s terminals.

Full import containers improved 26 percent year to date to 490,760 TEUs, while full exports grew nearly 17 percent in the same time period to 360,080 TEUs. For the year, container volumes increased nearly 14 percent to 1,387,761 TEUs.

Container volumes continue to reflect the addition of the Grand Alliance and its associated carriers this summer, as well strong volumes from our established customers.

Meanwhile, intermodal lifts and break-bulk cargo volumes showed continued improvement last month. Intermodal lifts grew 30 percent year to date, reflecting the Port’s growing container volumes, and high demand for machinery and construction equipment overseas drove break-bulk volumes up 91 percent on the year.

Imports drive 34 percent increase in Port of Tacoma container volumes

Port of Tacoma international container volumes improved 20 percent year to date in October, even as peak shipping season began winding down, Port officials announced this week.

Total container volumes improved 34 percent over the same month last year, with 165,173 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) crossing Tacoma’s terminals.

Full import containers improved 26 percent year to date to 490,760 TEUs, while full exports grew nearly 17 percent in the same time period to 360,080 TEUs. For the year, container volumes increased nearly 14 percent to 1,387,761 TEUs.

Container volumes continue to reflect the addition of the Grand Alliance and its associated carriers this summer, as well strong volumes from our established customers.

Meanwhile, intermodal lifts and break-bulk cargo volumes showed continued improvement last month. Intermodal lifts grew 30 percent year to date, reflecting the Port’s growing container volumes, and high demand for machinery and construction equipment overseas drove break-bulk volumes up 91 percent on the year.

The Port of Tacoma has seen container volumes rise since adding new shipping lines and services this summer. In July, the Port saw a 20 percent jump in container volumes compared to the same month last year. In September, the Port posted a 37 percent gain in container volumes over the same month last year.

All Port of Tacoma cargo statistics are available online at http://www.portoftacoma.com/Page.aspx?nid=155 .

All Port of Tacoma cargo statistics are available online here.