The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) has released its July 2025 cargo statistics, highlighting a 3.5% month-over-month increase in full international imports but an 11.4% decline year-over-year.
Market volatility, tariffs, and comparisons with July 2024’s surge in diverted Canadian cargo shaped this month’s performance. While overall container volumes fell 6% compared to last year, year-to-date totals remain up 3.5%, supported by steady import growth and improving export activity.
Container Volumes: Imports Up, Exports Surge
July container volumes reached 249,578 TEUs, reflecting weaker international trade but resilience in some sectors. Full imports grew 3.5% from June and 0.9% year-to-date, while exports rose sharply by 19.9% compared to July 2024, supported by fluid vessel and rail operations. Domestic container traffic also showed strength, rising 2.6% YTD, driven by a 1.5% increase in Alaska volumes and an 8.7% increase in Hawaii volumes.
New Incentives to Boost Cargo Flow
To strengthen long-term competitiveness, NWSA announced two major programs for the 2025–2026 period: the International Container Rail Cargo Incentive and the Voyage Consistency & On-Time Arrival Award Program. With combined funding of up to $12 million, these initiatives aim to increase rail volume, balance intermodal cargo flows, and encourage greater vessel schedule reliability across NWSA’s gateways.
Other Cargo Segments Face Headwinds
Non-containerized cargo faced challenges amid high interest rates and tariffs. Breakbulk volumes dropped 23.2% year-to-date, totaling 206,180 metric tons. The automotive sector also slowed, with 170,076 units handled, down 15.9% YTD, reflecting weaker nationwide car sales.
Despite a year-over-year dip in international imports and broader cargo softness, NWSA saw strong export gains and steady domestic growth in July 2025. With new incentive programs set to launch next year, the Alliance aims to stabilize cargo flows and reinforce its role as a reliable West Coast trade gateway.
View the July cargo reports:
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Source: The Northwest Seaport Alliance
