March 02, 2026
Ports of Seattle and Tacoma total container volume was down 13.9% in January
The Northwest Seaport Alliance reports that January 2026 total container volume (international and domestic) reached 228,166 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 13.9% compared to January 2025, when shippers were frontloading cargo ahead of expected tariffs.
Full imports decreased 16%. Full exports were flat, but up 10.2% over January 2022 when exports were impacted by equipment and capacity shortages.
January breakbulk volumes, 34,134 metric tons, increased 42.2% due to increased vessel calls vs. January 2025 because of timing. January 2026 auto volumes, 19,426 units, were down 2.5% from 19,925 units in January 2025.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.
Source: The Northwest Seaport Alliance