The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) saw a strong performance in April 2025 as shippers moved up orders, driving sustained growth in container imports. Despite declines in some cargo categories, overall volume trends continue to reflect robust demand through the Pacific Northwest gateway.
Container Volumes Show Strong Upward Trend
In April, the NWSA handled a total of 277,828 TEUs, marking a 7.4% increase compared to April 2024. This includes both international and domestic traffic.
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Full international imports rose by 8.8%, continuing a 14-month streak of month-over-month growth.
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Full international exports declined slightly by 1.7%.
Year-to-date (YTD), total volumes have surged 15.9%, with:
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Imports up 21.7%
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Exports down 0.5%
Vessel Milestone: Phoebe’s Maiden Call
In a notable event, NWSA and Ocean Network Express (ONE) welcomed the Phoebe, a newly delivered 6,014 TEU vessel, during her maiden call at Washington United Terminals in Tacoma’s South Harbor.
Operated by ONE as part of the Premier Alliance’s PN1 service, Phoebe connects directly with China, Taiwan, and Japan, boasting an industry-leading 11-day transit from Tokyo. The vessel is also future-ready, equipped with a dual-fuel engine capable of transitioning to ammonia or methanol.
The visit was joined by Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co, a key exporter through the NWSA gateway.
Domestic Volumes Continue Moderate Growth
Domestic container traffic rose 2.5% YTD, with Alaska and Hawaii showing steady growth:
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Alaska volumes: +1.5%
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Hawaii volumes: +7.9%
Declines in Other Cargo Categories
While containerized cargo remained strong, other cargo segments experienced notable slowdowns:
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Breakbulk cargo dropped 40.2% YTD, totaling 101,142 metric tons. High interest rates have impacted agricultural, mining, and construction equipment demand.
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Automobile imports were down 17.1%, reflecting sluggish nationwide car sales, with total auto volume at 100,082 units.
The NWSA continues to deliver solid results in container handling, driven by proactive shipping strategies and strong import demand. However, macroeconomic factors are impacting equipment and auto volumes. With innovative vessels like Phoebe arriving and strong international connectivity, the alliance is well-positioned to support evolving global trade dynamics.
View the April 2025 cargo reports:
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Source: Northwest Seaport Alliance
