Strong intermodal activity led the Port of Tacoma’s cargo results in 2010, with intermodal lifts up 19 percent from 2009 levels.

The increase was seen across all aspects of the Port’s intermodal rail business — international imports, exports, short-haul rail (up to 400 miles) and the domestic intermodal rail business. The Port is served by both the BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.

The Port finished 2010 with a container total of 1.46 million TEUs, down 6 percent from 2009 volumes. A number of developments during the year, including “K” Line introducing larger ships in its Tacoma service and Evergreen resuming its UAM service, helped the Port’s second half TEU performance outpace its first half by 7 percent. The Port expects 2011 container volumes to increase over 2010 volumes by 4 percent.

The Port’s domestic container volumes, which include service to Alaska and Hawaii, saw a 2 percent increase in 2010. Both Horizon Lines and Totem Ocean Trailer Express call Tacoma.

Other 2010 cargo results reflecting the Port’s growth and diversity include:

— Auto units increased 3 percent, with a total of 120,996 units. Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki ship vehicles through the Port.

— A total of 403,225 tons of logs were exported in 2010. This cargo type’s return to the Port was due largely to growing market demands in China.

To view all Port of Tacoma 2010 cargo totals, visit http://www.portoftacoma.com/Page.aspx?nid=155 .