The Port of Tacoma’s seesaw container business numbers were up again in September after falling in August.
A new report from the port shows container numbers, the number of container units handled at the port’s terminals, last month were 2.7 percent better than in September 2010. In August, those figures dropped by 2.6 percent from the previous August.
For the year, the port’s container volumes were up 2 percent through Sept. 30. Containers in foreign trade were higher by 4.5 percent for the year while domestic containers such as those that move between Tacoma and Alaska were down 2.9 percent.
The lack of a clear growth trend in the container business is evidence of retailers’ uncertainty about the economy, said Port of Tacoma Chief Executive Officer John Wolfe.
While the container business remains irregular, several of the port’s other business lines are doing well.
The breakbulk business is up 66.7 percent for the year. The auto business is 50.7 percent higher than last year. Log exports have increased 75.4 percent over the same time in 2010. Breakbulk cargo is merchandise too large or awkwardly shaped to fit inside a standard shipping container.
John Gillie: 253-597-8663 john.gillie@thenewstribune.com
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