To support strong imports and agricultural exports during this year’s peak season, the NWSA added three weeks to its extended service hours program by reimbursing the terminal operators up to $2 million. The top import commodities moving through our gateway include furniture, apparel, toys/games and footwear. The top export commodities moving through our gateway include hay, forest products, apples and potatoes.
Year to date, laden imports are up 6 percent to 1,268,049 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) and full exports increased 14 percent to 897,785 TEUs. The year’s total container volumes are up almost 2 percent through November to 3,299,538 TEUs.
Year to date, domestic volumes have been down as Alaska struggles with a decrease in oil- and gas-related project activity due to low commodity prices. November’s overall domestic volume showed an increase due to additional sailing, compared to the prior year.
In other cargo news:
- Breakbulk cargo is down 24 percent year to date to 165,836 metric tons as the global downturn in agricultural, mining and construction equipment, and a strong U.S. dollar impact volumes.
- Log exports declined 36 percent year to date to 150,962 metric tons due to decreased demand in China and competition from New Zealand.
- Autos fell 10 percent to 151,985 units for the month because of production issues as well as supply chain shifts.
