Cargo shipments between Honolulu and six neighbor island ports rebounded in 2013 after a flat performance in 2012, Young Brothers Ltd., reported today.

Interisland shipments rose 1.5 percent in 2013 from the previous year, the company reported in its Young Brothers Quarterly Shipping Report. Shipping volumes ended 2012 little changed after a year of volatile quarterly cargo volumes. 

“We turned the corner in 2013, but we still have a long way to go relative to the boom period we experienced during the middle of last decade,” said Glenn Hong, president of Young Brothers.

 “Cargo volumes started  coming back in the second quarter last year and maintained relative strength to finish 2013 with some growth.  We recognize that various economic reports have been mixed of late but we’re hopeful that there is enough fuel in the economy to continue to drive increasing cargo volumes in 2014, ” Hong said.

The only neighbor island port to experience a decline in shipping volumes last year was Kawaihae, where shipments fell 4.7 percent. Shipping volumes increased at Kahului by 1 percent, at Hilo by 2.1 percent, at Nawiliwili by 4.5 percent, at Kaunakakai (Molokai) by 7.2 percent; and at Laumalapau (Lanai) by 20.7 percent.