Port Authority Reports Facility Volumes for September 2021

On Oct 27, 2021

September 2021 volumes at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s airports and PATH system continue to see lower passenger volumes from the pandemic. Traffic at the bridges and tunnels are now close to pre-pandemic levels with vehicular volumes just 3.5% below 2019 levels. The seaport, by contrast continues to handle record-setting cargo volumes.

The latest facility operating volumes for September 2021 are detailed below. When compared to pre-COVID September 2019 volumes, airport and PATH volumes remained down, bridge and tunnel traffic was similar to pre-pandemic volumes, and the seaport was at record monthly highs.

Amid a global increase in shipping delays that has significantly affected other U.S. ports including those on the West Coast, operations at the Port of New York and New Jersey remain fluid with two container vessels currently waiting to dock and an average wait time of less than 1.5 days year to date. Updated anchorage status is available daily on the seaport’s website. The seaport has had record-setting cargo activity for 14 consecutive months, moving 724,418 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in September 2021. This was a record for the month of September.

The Port Authority has included monthly data comparisons below of September 2021 to August 2021 to provide further insight into facility trends. When comparing September 2021 to August 2021, the volumes at the airports and cargo activity at the seaport declined consistent with seasonal trends, and traffic at the bridges and tunnels was similar, while PATH ridership increased.

Airports:

In September 2021, the Port Authority’s airports handled an estimated total of 6.9 million passengers, a 40% decrease from pre-COVID September 2019 volumes.

Airport passenger volumes were down 16% from August 2021.

Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals (TB&T):

In September 2021, the Port Authority’s four bridges and two tunnels handled a total of 9.9 million eastbound vehicles, just 3.5% below September 2019 levels, which was 10.29 million vehicles.

September 2021 volumes were similar to August 2021 volumes when comparing average daily traffic, coming within 3.6% of August traffic. Automobile traffic was down 3.9%, and truck traffic decreased by 0.5%.

PATH:

PATH reported 3 million riders in September 2021, which was down 56% from September 2019. Ridership increased 12% from August 2021.

Port:

The Port of New York and New Jersey moved 724,418 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in September 2021. It was the eighth-highest monthly volume since the port began tracking cargo activity.

Cargo volume was up 15.9% from September 2019, but decreased 7.2% from August 2021. Traditionally, as reported by the Port Authority, holiday goods move through the seaport beginning in May and peak in August, which contributed to the August 2021 record of 780,782 TEUs moved.

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