Wharf revamp for Port of NY/NJ
NewsThe Port of New York/New Jersey is investing US$ 197.6 million to reconstruct and modernise berths at Port Newark for increased capacity.
A busy summer for US Ports
SC Ports, the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Port of Oakland release figures for July and June.
Stockpiling of inventories by US retailers has kept US ports busy on both coasts this summer.
On the East Coast, South Carolina Ports reported an 8% year-on-year increase in container volumes in July 2024, with 224,407 TEU and 124,448 pier containers moving through the Port of Charleston.
SCP said that this was the second-highest July performance for the port, trailing only behind the record set in July 2021, which was spurred by the pandemic-related import boom. Figures for July 2023 stood at 208,134 TEU and for 2022 at 216,097TEU.
Rail-served inland ports also experienced growth, handling a combined 21,013 rail moves in July, which is up 19% from last year. Inland Port Greer had an all-time record July, moving 17,332 containers on and off trains, a 17% increase year-over-year. Inland Port Dillon also set a record in July, with 3,681 rail moves, which is up 26% from last year.
SC Ports handled 10,814 vehicles in July, which is down year-over-year as July is typically a slower month for this segment.
New York and New Jersey
Meanwhile, the Port of New York and New Jersey has released figures for June reporting a 13.5% year-on-year rise in total volume in June 2024, handling 708,935 TEU (395,219 containers). This increase brings the port’s year-through June total to 4,210,611 TEU (2,336,088 containers). Imports rose by 12.1% in June, totalling 366,099 TEU, while exports increased by 10.9%, reaching 112,621 TEU. Additionally, export empties grew by 17.7%, highlighting a strong demand for containerised exports.
From January through June 2024, imported loads at the Port of New York and New Jersey reached 2,158,055 TEU (1,199,783 containers), a 13.7 % year-on-year increase. Exported loads for the first six months of 2024 reached 683,522 TEU (366,746 containers), a 4.9% year-on-year increase.
A total of 52,474 containers were moved by rail in June at the Port of New York and New Jersey. While rail volume saw a slight decrease of 1.6% year-on-year drop, volume from January through June was 4.8% greater than in the first half of 2023. June saw a 10.2% increase in auto imports from the previous year, with 33,953 autos moving through the port. Auto volume for January through June was 10.9% higher than in the same period of 2023.
Oakland
On the West Coast, the Port of Oakland reported a 2.4% year-on-year increase in full container volume in July 2024 standing at 80,135 handled TEU. Import demand remains strong based on freight rates, as well as feedback from importers. Full imports increased by 18.8% over the past six months.
“We are encouraged that demand for imports is steadily increasing and anticipate the remainder of the year to be strong,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “This growth reflects an influx of back-to-school and holiday goods across our docks.”
The port handled 478,762 TEU from February through July 2024, up from 403,801 TEU in the same period of 2023. Full exports rose 2.2%, transiting 59,362 TEU in July 2024, versus 58,059 TEU in July 2023. Empty imports dropped 25.1%, with 10,627 TEUs passing through port facilities in July 2024. Empty exports jumped 10.1%, with 34,343 TEU departing from the port.
The port said that overall cargo volumes were reduced slightly due to a few cancelled or blank sailings in July 2024, which reduced the number of vessel calls at the Port of Oakland.