The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reported a significant downturn in activity across all major metrics compared to the same period last year, according to its weekly report released Tuesday. The data, which covers the week ending September 19, 2025, highlights a challenging environment for the Seattle and Tacoma ports, with international imports, truck transactions, and vessel lifts all showing substantial year-over-year declines.

International imports for the week ending September 19 totaled 11,970 containers. This figure represents a stark 29.3% drop when compared to the weekly average for September 2024, which stood at 16,936 containers. While imports saw a 9% increase from the previous week, the sharp annual decline underscores a broader trend of reduced import volume. The weekly import total was also 11.9% below the 2024 weekly average of 13,592 containers.

Truck transactions, a key indicator of cargo movement in and out of terminals, also experienced a notable decrease. The 23,534 truck transactions recorded were down 16.6% from the September 2024 weekly average of 28,215. This metric also fell by 8.4% compared to the prior week, indicating a slowdown in both short-term and long-term activity.

Similarly, vessel lifts—the number of containers moved on and off ships, including empties—were down. The 26,274 lifts for the week were 10.2% lower than the September 2024 weekly average of 29,261. Despite a 7.1% increase week-over-week, this metric also reflects the significant year-over-year contraction.

The number of blank, or canceled, voyages also remains a factor in port activity. In September 2025, there were 7 blank voyages out of 60 scheduled, compared to 12 blanks out of 63 voyages in September 2024. For the week ending October 3, two blank voyages are already scheduled.

The data from the NWSA paints a picture of decreased trade volumes through the Puget Sound gateway compared to the previous year, affecting every major facet of its operations