Tim Ryker, new chief of seaport operations for the Port of Everett, assumed his role on Oct. 1 at a challenging time for the marine freight business .

Ryker replaced the longtime Chief Operating Officer Carl Wollebek, who announced his retirement on Sept. 29. Wollebek began with the port in 1993 as its director of marketing.

Freight shipments to the port are down around 10% from last year and could decline another 10% this year, port statistics show.

“Shippers are reluctant to ship,” he said in a brief interview with The Daily Herald. “It’s a global issue; all ports are seeing the effects.”

Ryker said key commodities received at the port include auto parts, cement and agricultural products .

Any increase in freight numbers this year depends on decisions over the next few weeks by

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