Ports in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas say they are continuing to process less and less cargo.
The decline in shipments is said to be due to the recent closures and reduction of output in the local garment industry.
The Commonwealth Ports Authority reported freight was 5-percent down on the same period last year.
The drop in cargo volume is said to follow the lifting of quota in January this year that used to limit garment exports from foreign countries to the United States.
The Saipan Tribune says the increased competition in the U.S. market, compounded by other economic factors, has caused three Saipan garment manufacturers to close down and other factories to downsize operations
