The total volume of containers (international and domestic) that moved through the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) in August 2025 reached 256,735 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), 2.9% more than in July 2025, although 18.7% less than in August 2024.
Tariffs are expected to continue affecting the number of containers in the short term. The negative year-over-year comparisons also reflect the high levels of cargo coming from Canada due to the labor disruptions in August 2024. Total international imports decreased by 24.8% compared to August of last year, while total exports decreased by 18.1%.
Year-to-date cumulative volumes increased by 0.2%, with a 3% decrease in total imports and a 3.2% decrease in total exports.
NWSA welcomed Emirates Shipping Lines (ESL) for its inaugural call to the gateway with the arrival of the Bright on August 16.
The call represented ESL’s expansion into the U.S. market and its transition as the operator of the Sun Chief Express (SCX) service. In collaboration with UWL, SCX offers a fast service from Vietnam to the U.S.A., with a Ho Chi Minh City – Shekou – Seattle – Ho Chi Minh City rotation.
Domestic container volumes increased by 2.1% compared to the year-to-date 2024. Alaska transits increased by 1% and Hawaii transits increased by 8.2%.
In other statistics, the total amount of breakbulk cargo decreased by 21.6%, reaching 233,960 metric tons year-to-date. High interest rates and tariffs continue to affect this segment.
Auto volumes were 190,724 units, a 19.8% decrease year-to-date due to the slowdown in auto sales nationally because of high interest rates.
