NWSA container volumes down 1.7% YTD

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reported a total container volume of 289,120 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for September 2025, representing a 12.6% increase from August 2025 but a 13.6% decline compared to September 2024.

Tariffs continue to impact container volumes, while year-over-year comparisons reflect inflated 2024 volumes due to labor disruptions in Canada. Full international imports fell 22% from last September, and full exports decreased 1.2%. Year-to-date volumes reached 2,431,217 TEUs, down 1.7%, with full imports declining 5.7% and exports 2.9%.

Despite softer volumes, ocean carrier schedule performance showed strong improvement. In Q3, the average vessel arrival time at the gateway was just two days off schedule, marking the best reliability in the past five years.

Domestic container volumes rose 1.5% year-over-year. Alaska trade increased 0.2%, and Hawaii volumes grew 9.2%, highlighting steady regional demand.

In other cargo sectors, breakbulk volume dropped 21.7% to 257,651 metric tons year-to-date, reflecting the ongoing effects of high interest rates and tariffs. Auto volumes totaled 214,429 units, down 19.8% due to nationwide declines in auto sales driven by elevated borrowing costs and trade pressures.

The NWSA continues to focus on operational efficiency and reliability, ensuring resilient gateway performance amid global trade challenges.

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