Vol. 114 - No. 104 - June 2, 2010

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said while first quarter containerized cargo volumes at its seaport terminals rose 9.6 percent over the same 2009 period, truck traffic at the bridges and tunnels it operates declined by 2.1 percent.

Truck traffic, generates significant revenue for the agency, and the decline reflects the continued economic downtown, including reduced consumer spending.

At the port authority’s major airports, traffic rose 1.3 percent during the first three months of 2010, buoyed by a 5.8 percent increase in international travel. Domestic travel fell 0.8 percent. The slight rebound followed a 4.8 percent drop in airport passengers in 2009.

Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, "The latest numbers show that the national recession continues to impact our businesses, though we’re beginning to witness signs of a return to growth in the future. In the meantime, we will continue to control costs and to meet our commitments."