Port of Tacoma analysts predict that container volumes are likely to get worse before they start getting better, and it may be 2014 before the port's container counts return to 2000 levels. Even though container counts are down 15 percent year-to-date, the counts are expected to be down 20 percent by the end of the year due to the recent move of Maersk Line to the Port of Seattle and reduced volumes moved by other carriers during the last quarter of the year.

Other cargo volumes within the port are equally depressed - or worse. The port's intermodal lifts are down 33 percent this year.

Breakbulk volume is down 25 percent so far this year and is expected to be down 19 percent by year's end.
Despite the Cash for Clunkers program that reduced the port's backlog of stockpiled cars, Tacoma's auto volumes were down 36 percent through September and are expected to be down 31 percent by year's end.

The only bright spot in the picture is with grain exports. Even though grain exports were down 8.2 percent during the first three quarters of the year, the volumes are to grow and exceed the port's capacity by the end of the year.

 - The Cunningham Report