Records from the Commonwealth Ports Authority revealed that the biggest drop was noted last month — a negative 68 percent, or 2,672 tons, compared with Aug. 2007’s record of 8,316 tons.
CPA said almost no fuel, cement, transshipments and construction materials have been shipped out since November last year.
In Dec. 2007, the port of Saipan recorded a drop of 64 percent in outbound cargoes —from 10,418 tons in the same period in 2006 to only 3,789 tons.
Ready-made clothing for store sales remains on top of CPA’s list.
In FY 2007, the volume of outbound cargo clothing totaled 48,811 tons compared with FY 2008’s 17,334 tons.
Garment raw materials dropped from 6,409 tons last fiscal year to only 2,879 tons this fiscal year.
This is attributed mainly to the closure of Saipan garment factories that are now moving to places where the labor costs are cheaper.
The shipment of vehicles to Saipan also declined — only 2,947 tons this fiscal year compared to FY 2007’s 5,158 tons.
The outbound commodities in Oct. 2007 totaled 5,641 tons; Nov. 2007, 4,016; Dec. 2007, 3,789; Jan. 2008, 4,606; Feb. 2008, 3,615; March 2008, 4,214; April 2008, 3,084; May 2008, 3,535; June 2008, 3,597; July 2008, 2,921; and Aug. 2008, 2,672.
The port of Rota likewise recorded a decrease in its revenue tonnage — 890 tons this fiscal year compared to FY 2007’s 1,103 tons.
The port of Tinian showed a 42 percent increase from last fiscal year’s 2,373 tons to FY 2008’s 3,364 tons.
