Cargo shipments between Oahu and six neighbor island ports rose 5.2 percent from July through September, the second consecutive quarter of solid gains in interisland barge traffic, according to a report released today by Young Brothers.

“We believe this is another indicator that the broader local economy is continuing to gain strength, and we’re hopeful it’s the beginning of a trend that will sustain itself,” said Glenn Hong, president of Young Brothers.

“We still have some ground to make up to get back to levels seen six and seven years ago,”  Hong added. When compared to the peak-volume year of 2007, Young Brothers’ 2013 volume is still down approximately 20 percent.                                             

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 percent; Hilo climbed 4.2 percent; Kawaihae, up 6.0 percent; Nawiliwili, Kauai, up 5.3 percent; Kaunakakai, Molokai, 4.9 percent; and Kaumalapau, Lanai, the smallest port in terms of volume, up 21.6 percent.