- Imports Grow for 11th Consecutive Month, Up 34.7%.
- Exports Increase 4.5%, Driven by Strong Agricultural Demand.
- Total Container Volume Hits 264,869 TEUs, Exceeding Five-Year Average.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reports that it began the year with robust cargo expansion, surpassing the five-year average for imports and exports. High vessel schedule reliability, reliable rail service, and new customers were among the factors that fueled the growth.
International Imports See Double-Digit Growth
Total international imports climbed 34.7%, its eleventh-straight month of expansion and 9.5% higher than the gateway’s five-year average for January. The NWSA effectively pulled in new customers, while retailers built up inventory ahead of Lunar New Year holiday shopping and planned for changes to tariffs.
International Exports Experience Consistent Expansion
Total international exports increased by 4.5%, topping the five-year average by 5.7%. Washington state’s agricultural produce was boosted by strong demand to propel volumes, despite some hiccups of strong currency exchange rates and uncertainties around tariffs.
Total Container Volumes Total 264,869 TEUs
Total container volume—both domestic and international shipment—reached 264,869 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, up 25.4% from the corresponding period in 2024.
Domestic Container Volumes on the Rise
Domestic container volumes increased 5.5% year-over-year. Within this category:
- Alaska volumes saw a 2.4% increase.
- Hawaii volumes surged by 24.6%.
With strong momentum across multiple categories, the NWSA continues to build on its growth trajectory in 2025.
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Source: NWSA
