Port of NY/NJ Total 2023 Volume Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Figures

New Jersey – Cushman & Wakefield released its 2023 year-end Port of New York and New Jersey (PNYNJ) industrial review, which found that the PNYNJ maintained its position as the busiest port on the East Coast, with total volume surpassing pre-pandemic figures. 

“This report highlights the Port of New York and New Jersey’s resilience and strong recovery from the pandemic. Despite facing challenges, the Port has achieved more than pre-pandemic container volume levels and continues to be the busiest port on the East Coast. The recent investment in enhancing port capacity further exemplifies the Port’s dedication to continuous improvement and expansion, as it maintains its rank as one of the busiest ports in the nation,” said John Obeid, Senior Research Manager. 

Ranked as the nation’s second-busiest seaport for loaded containers handled in 2023, the PNYNJ maintains a high volume of container traffic. This sustained activity aligns with the PNYNJ’s strategic initiative to enhance port capacity, demonstrated by the recent $220 million project announcement that aims to redesign and rebuild the northern entrance of Port Newark, emphasizing the Port’s commitment to continuous improvement and expansion. Despite a year-over-year (YOY) decrease of 17.7%, the full-year container volume totaled 7.8 million TEUs, notably surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Compared to 2019, total cargo transport at the PNYNJ increased 4.4%, indicating a steady flow of trade activity.   

The vacancy rate in the Port Region grew 240 basis points YOY, reaching 5.3%, primarily due to the delivery of new product to the market. Among these, the largest newly developed property delivered vacant this year was the 332,640-square-foot (sf) development at 101 Port Lincoln Boulevard in Bayonne, followed by a new 178,200-sf warehouse at 2013 McCarter Highway in Newark. After posting 2.0 million square feet (msf) of positive net absorption in 2022, the Port Region witnessed a reversal in 2023, transitioning into negative territory with 430,889 sf of occupancy losses.   

Leasing activity surged in the fourth quarter, surpassing the 1.0 msf mark for the first time since the first quarter of 2021. The fourth quarter demand of 1.1 msf helped push the year-to-date figure to 2.3 msf, a 45.5% increase from the same time last year. Renewal activity followed suit, swelling to over 1.2 msf—the highest quarterly total over the last decade—and was driven by 619,953 sf of renewals in the fourth quarter. The average asking rent rose by 3.3% YOY to $19.91 per square foot. Both asking and taking rents have improved over the last year, particularly within centrally located new developments and higher-quality space. 

Boasting six container terminals and multiple cargo rail lines, the PNYNJ services one of the world’s most affluent and densely populated consumer bases. The Port boasts the largest 250-mile radius population of any port in North America, with over 60 million people making up one-third of the country's GDP. Given the substantial surrounding population, the PNYNJ significantly drives demand for many industrial markets across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. 

View the full report.