Tariffs Hit Mississippi Port Traffic
Port Authority reports cargo tonnage down 32 percent for fiscal year to date
The Mississippi State Port Authority board heard that cargo volumes have fallen sharply so far this fiscal year compared with the same period last year.
At the board's Aug. 27 meeting, an operations report delivered by COO Shawn Meyer stated, "Fiscal year-to-date tonnage decreased by 32 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. The decline is primarily due to the previous year's bulk cargo vessel and additional cargo containers. TEU's decreased by 12 percent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year." The figures were entered into the board's minutes as part of the routine operations report.
According to the report, the tonnage drop stems largely from bulk cargo vessel activity recorded the prior year that was not repeated, along with additional container movement in that earlier period. No further board discussion or response to the figures was recorded in the minutes.
The report amounts to a report card for the self-funded authority, which relies on cargo and container throughput for revenue. A 32 percent year-over-year decline in tonnage is a significant result for the agency, and how leadership explains and addresses the drop going forward is likely to draw continued attention at future board meetings.