Meanwhile, international containers improved 4 percent through the first three months of the year, largely on the strength of January and February volumes. Full containerized exports were up 18 percent year to date to 233,102 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), while imports were flat at 311,011 TEUs. Empty container volumes are down 4 percent year to date.
When compared to March 2015, March 2016’s international container volumes were down nearly 22 percent. March 2015 volumes were particularly robust as the alliance’s harbours quickly cleared the backlog built up during labour contract negotiations after an agreement was reached in February 2015.
March container volumes were also impacted by Lunar New Year, when factories in Asia close for one to two weeks.
Container volumes at Northwest Seaport Alliance grow in first quarter
