The figures point to a decrease of 5.7 percent from the record-setting pace logged in 2018.
Trade tensions and tariffs were among the key factors impacting trade at U.S. ports over the past year, however, volumes managed to remain steady.
POLB’s imports slid 8.3% to 3,758,438 TEUs. Exports totaled 1,472,802 TEUs, down 3.3%, while empties decreased 2.8% to 2,400,792 TEUs.
Looking ahead into 2020, Cordero sounded an optimistic note of “better times ahead” and progress on trade war discussions between the U.S. and China, while also pointing out the challenges of lagging business investment and continued uncertainty in the industry.
