NWSA Cargo by the Numbers

Cargo operations in our region are managed by The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), which jointly operates the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma. On Mondays, the NWSA publishes a weekly update of its volumes and metrics for both ports. 

The updates below include both the North Harbor (Seattle) and South Harbor (Tacoma) for the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA). 

Weekly Updates

Week of June 23

Source: Northwest Seaport Alliance 

The week ending June 6 saw a recovery from the significant dip the previous week, but numbers remain depressed compared to the same time last year. International imports increased almost 40% (38.7%) week over week, but the first full week of June was still 21% below the June 2024 weekly average. Truck transactions were up almost 17% compared to the week before, but down just over 17% compared to the June 2024 weekly average.  

Monthly numbers for May were also released this week. Both international imports and exports dropped in the month of May, ending a 14-month streak of consecutive growth. Tariffs were a significant factor for this month over month volume reduction. Breakbulk and auto markets, two important non-container lines of business for the NWSA, have seen a substantial decline as well, due to both impacts from tariffs and high interest rates. 

• Follow the detailed weekly update on the Northwest Seaport Alliance website
• Reference a full vessel schedule and four week lookahead 
   

Weekly Vessel Arrival Snapshot
 

Week ending June 20

Source: Marine Exchange of Puget Sound

• Total Vessel Arrivals jumped 29% week-over-week (49 → 63), with BULK (+167%), TUG/ATB (+300%), and VEHICLES (+60%) leading the charge

Weekly Vessel Calls

Source: Northwest Seaport Alliance 

+ A "void sailing," also known as a "blank sailing," refers to a scheduled cargo ship service that skips a port or region it was supposed to visit. 

Vessels: Year over Year Change

Source: Marine Exchange of Puget Sound

May 1-23

Monthly comparisons to same time last year for Seattle and Tacoma

• For vessels coming into Seattle, see the Ship Sightings page 

2025 International Container Volumes (imports and exports)

Source: Northwest Seaport Alliance 

• Bold = highest
• Italics = lowest 

• For more detailed information, check the Northwest Seaport Alliance website.

10-Year Historical Context 

Source: Northwest Seaport Alliance 

Below, you’ll find historical context for the last ten years in international container volumes (imports + exports + empty) by TEUs.

What’s a TEU?: The TEU stands for 20-foot equivalent unit, a standard that can be used to measure a ship’s cargo capacity. One TEU is 20 feet long and 8 feet tall.

•  Bold = highest
• Italics = lowest 

• See the NWSA Container Volume History (Excel Spreadsheet)