Total container volume moving through the Port of New York and New Jersey climbed 16 percent in 2010, reaching 5,292,020 loaded and empty 20-foot equivalent units, compared to 4,561,527 TEUs in 2009, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Thursday.
TEU volume in 2010 was slightly below the 5,299,105 TEUS recorded in 2007, which was an annual record for the port.
Data compiled by the port’s terminal operators shows that loaded TEUs in 2010 totaled 4,097,420. Loaded imports and exports totaled 2,579,093 and 1,518,327 respectively. Imports grew 14.9 percent from 2009, while exports rose 9 percent.
In 2010, the port handled 376,770 containers through its ExpressRail system, up 22.3 percent from 2009 and nearing the annual record set in 2008.
The port’s total general cargo volume, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Census, increased to 32.2 million metric tons in 2010, compared to 28.2 million metric tons in 2009. General cargo imports totaled 21 million metric tons, an increase of 14.3 percent. General cargo exports increased 13.9 percent, from 9.8 million metric tons in 2009 to 11.2 million metric tons in 2010.
Total bulk cargo was down 1 percent to 49.2 million metric tons in 2010, compared to 49.7 million metric tons in 2009. Total bulk cargo imports showed increases in organic chemicals, sugars, and fats and oils, but still decreased 0.5 percent from 40.2 million metric tons in 2009 to 40.0 million metric tons in 2010.
Total bulk cargo exports decreased 3.3 percent, from 9.4 million metric tons in 2009 to 9.1 million metric tons in 2010. However, there were significant increases in food waste/animal feed, cereals, and beverages.
Total cargo volume by weight (bulk and general cargo combined), grew 4.5 percent, from 77.9 million metric tons in 2009 to 81.4 million metric tons in 2010.
The port authority said the dollar value of all cargo handled in the port during 2010 exceeded $175 billion.
The number of vehicles handled throughout the port in 2010, including small trucks, vans, SUVs and other personal vehicles, was 693,031, up 12.2 percent.
The top five containerized import commodities by volume were furniture, women’s and infant wear, miscellaneous apparel, beer and ale, and menswear.
Volume slightly below record 2007 level as imports outpace exports
The top five containerized export commodities by volume were paper, automobiles, scrap metal, household goods, and auto parts.
Imported general cargo commodities showing major growth by volume were iron/steel products, organic chemicals, electrical machinery, and vehicles.
Exported general cargo commodities showing major growth by volume were soaps and waxes, wood, rubber, and paper.
The top five trading partners in general cargo tonnage were China, India, Italy, Germany, and Brazil.
There were 4,811 ship calls in the Port of New York and New Jersey in 2010, compared to 4,808 in 2009.