September container volumes came in strong with full imports up 21.5% and full exports up 24.2% over August. The strong September will help NWSA improve year-over year volume comparison as we head toward the end of the year. The NWSA has seen strong interest from BCOs to take advantage of the gateways consistent rail service, especially the consistent low rail dwell.
Total volumes (international and domestic) reached 2,174,231 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 10.6%, with full imports declining 12.2% and full exports decreasing 2.3%. September 2026 total container volume reached 265,692 TEUs, down 8.1% compared to September 2025. Full imports were down 4.4% and full exports declined 9.6%. Volumes remain below 2025 levels when cargo was shipped ahead of anticipated tariffs.
Domestic container volumes decreased by 0.3% compared to YTD 2025. Alaska increased 0.6%, and Hawaii volumes decreased 5%.
Other cargo stats:
- YTD September breakbulk volumes, 320,335 metric tons, increased 13.4% as strong industrial demand continues to buoy volumes.
- YTD September auto volumes, 208,280 units, were down 2.9% from YTD 2025. Tariff impact on the industry is being offset by an increase of diverted auto units from Canada due to congestion.
Evergreen’s HTW service will resume Tacoma calls in late October for 13 weekly voyages. The service gives exporters another direct ocean service option during peak reefer season, connecting the gateway to key Asian markets and helping improve equipment availability and export capacity for agricultural shippers. The NWSA remains the second largest reefer export gateway in the nation and supports a wide variety of commodities from the region and U.S. interior.
View the September cargo reports: