Young Brothers Reports Strong Cargo Haul

Cargo shipments between Honolulu and six neighbor island ports increased 5.2% from July through September of 2013, compared to the same period of 2012, Young Brothers Limited announced.

After a 4.4% rise in cargo volume during the second quarter, the barge operator’s increase for the first nine months of this year is 1.8% higher than it was in 2013.

“We believe this is another indicator that the broader local economy is continuing to gain strength,” said Glenn Hong, president of Young Brothers, adding however that Young Brothers’ volume is still down about 20% compared to the peak-volume year of 2007.

Agricultural cargo was a major part of the increase. Shipments of ag products grew 5.3% in the 3rd quarter of 2013, led by an 11.8% uptick in locally grown ag products shipped from the Big Island’s Kawaihae Harbor. For the first nine months of 2013 agricultural volume rose 5.8%, Young Brothers reported.

During the third quarter of 2013, every neighbor island port increased cargo shipments: Kahului, Maui, the largest single port in terms of volume, rose 5.5%; Hilo climbed 4.2%; Kawaihae, up 6.0%; Nawiliwili, Kauai, up 5.3%; Kaunakakai, Molokai, 4.9%; and Kaumalapau, Lanai, the smallest port in terms of volume, up 21.6%.

Shipments of construction materials and biofuels were up significantly, continuing the previous quarter’s trend. Automobile rental fleets and beverages were also among gainers.