West coast port box volume up in May as autumn promises more growth
FIGURES released by the Pacific Maritime Association show that container volumes at west coast ports edged up one per cent in May compared to the same month last year.
However, May was the busiest month of the year so far, and with the trend line moving upwards as the peak-shipping season approaches, growth in container traffic should accelerate into the autumn months.
About half of the US container volume moves through west coast ports while the remaining half moves through east and Gulf Coast ports. Container volumes at west coast ports increased one per cent during the first five months of 2013 with imports increasing three per cent while exports declined one per cent.
Washington ports outperformed others with container volumes at Seattle-Tacoma increasing three per cent in May and three per cent in the January-through-May period.
Los Angeles-Long Beach ports cargo volume increased one per cent in May and two per cent from January through May. Container volumes in Oakland also increased one per cent in May and two per cent in January through May period.
Portland, Oregon, has struggled most of the year with container volumes sliding 13 per cent in May and 15 per cent in the January-May period.
FIGURES released by the Pacific Maritime Association show that container volumes at west coast ports edged up one per cent in May compared to the same month last year.
However, May was the busiest month of the year so far, and with the trend line moving upwards as the peak-shipping season approaches, growth in container traffic should accelerate into the autumn months.
About half of the US container volume moves through west coast ports while the remaining half moves through east and Gulf Coast ports. Container volumes at west coast ports increased one per cent during the first five months of 2013 with imports increasing three per cent while exports declined one per cent.
Washington ports outperformed others with container volumes at Seattle-Tacoma increasing three per cent in May and three per cent in the January-through-May period.
Los Angeles-Long Beach ports cargo volume increased one per cent in May and two per cent from January through May. Container volumes in Oakland also increased one per cent in May and two per cent in January through May period.
Portland, Oregon, has struggled most of the year with container volumes sliding 13 per cent in May and 15 per cent in the January-May period.