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Port Of Tacoma Commission News

13 Dec 2023

Tacoma, Seattle Ports Ink Deals for Navigation Improvement Projects

(Photo; The Northwest Seaport Alliance)

Pacific Northwest seaports Seattle and Tacoma have signed design agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a pair of waterway navigation improvement projects.The Seattle Navigation Improvement Project, authorized by Congress in 2018, and the Tacoma Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, authorized in 2022, are part of a comprehensive modernization initiative for The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) gateway that began nearly a decade ago.Containerships navigating in the trans-Pacific trade are increasing in size…

09 Dec 2021

Seattle, Tacoma Ports Plan to Phase Out Maritime Emissions

(Photo: Port of Seattle)

The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and the combined container operations of The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) have adopted near-term implementation plans that guide emission reduction efforts for seaport-related activities.The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy covers six sectors of port activity: oceangoing vessels, cargo-handling equipment, trucks, harbor vessels, rail and port administration and tenant facilities. The recently adopted implementation plans direct changes in equipment…

11 Mar 2021

SAFE Boats to Reopen Tacoma Shipyard for Naval Build Program

(Photo: SAFE Boats)

U.S. shipbuilder SAFE Boats International will reopen its Tacoma, Wash. facility following the award of a $20 million lead contract for the U.S. Navy to start construction of the Mark VI patrol boats headed for the government of Ukraine.The U.S. Navy announced in January it had awarded SAFE Boats a portion of the contract to purchase long-lead material and associated pre-production and planning support with the remaining $80 million award anticipated in June.SAFE Boats’ Tacoma…

24 Sep 2019

West Coast Ports Urge Trump to Address Trade War

The six largest West Coast ports — Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Oakland, Port of Portland, Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma — sent a letter to President Donald Trump to pursue fair and mutually beneficial trade agreements.The letter highlighted their concerns that the long-term impacts of the escalating trade conflict between China and the United States will create irredeemable economic harm to employers, workers, residents and international partnerships along the West Coast and throughout the entire country.“The chaos of the current trade war is one of the most prominent risks ahead. Exporters are losing market opportunities through increased tariffs on sales to China.

20 Sep 2017

Northwest Seaport Alliance CEO Wolfe Receives 2017 Connie Award

John Wolfe (Photo: The Northwest Seaport Alliance)

John Wolfe, CEO of The Northwest Seaport Alliance, received the 2017 Connie Award presented by the Containerization & Intermodal Institute in Long Beach, Calif., on Tuesday, September 19. Since the formation of the NWSA in August 2015, Wolfe has led the marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. “This is an incredible honor for John and The Northwest Seaport Alliance,” said Tom Albro, Port of Seattle commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “John leads through hard work and a well-grounded vision.

20 Oct 2016

Seattle’s Terminal 5 Closer to Becoming ‘Big Ship Ready’

Photo: Northwest Seaport Alliance

The Port of Seattle has completed the environmental analysis of Terminal 5 and has prepared the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the project to modernize the cargo-handling facility in order to serve larger cargo vessels. The proposed upgrades to Terminal 5 are wharf rehabilitation, berth deepening, electrical service and improvements to the upland portions of the property. “Based on public comment we are including a number of improvements, such as shore power for vessels…

02 Aug 2016

New Plan Would Make Seattle One of US’ Deepest Ports

Photo: Port of Seattle

A new report published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the Port of Seattle outlines a plan that would make the port one of the deepest harbors in North America. Within the Seattle Harbor Navigation Improvement Project Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment, the two parties have outlined a tentatively selected plan that would deepen the East and West Waterways to 57 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), enabling the port to handle the current and future generations of ultra-large containerships.

29 Feb 2016

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin Calls Seattle

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin (Photo: Northwest Seaport Alliance)

Largest cargo vessel to visit U.S. The largest cargo ship to visit the United States, the CMA CMG Benjamin Franklin, arrived Monday at The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s Terminal 18 in Seattle. The Benjamin Franklin has capacity for 18,000 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), more than double the cargo of most container ships calling at Northwest Seaport Alliance terminals. If laid end-to-end, the 18,000 TEUs would stretch from Tacoma to Everett, a distance of about 68 miles.

13 Jul 2015

Seattle, Tacoma Ports Welcome State Transport Investment

Photo: Port of Tacoma

Washington State Legislature’s passed a $16.2 billion transportation investment package that ports of Tacoma and Seattle say will benefit the state’s economy by speeding the movement of cargo through the ports and freight corridors. The ports, business and community leaders have been advocating for funding to complete the key freight routes of State Route 509 in King County and State Route 167 in Pierce County, which are supported in the package. “The transportation system outside our terminal gates is critical to maintaining our competitive edge…

05 Jun 2015

Seattle, Tacoma to Submit Seaport Alliance Proposal

Taking another step in forming The Northwest Seaport Alliance, commissioners from the ports of Tacoma and Seattle voted Friday to submit a final agreement to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for approval. The Northwest Seaport Alliance will unify the two ports’ marine cargo terminal investments, operations, planning and marketing to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more marine cargo for the region. “This agreement is the culmination of months of work to set aside decades of competition in creating a new business model for the greater good,” said Don Johnson, Port of Tacoma commission president. The agreement outlines The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s governance charter, management and financial structures, a transition plan and a business development strategy.

08 May 2015

Seattle, Tacoma Prepare for Seaport Alliance

Terminal 46 in Seattle (Photo: Port of Seattle)

A draft of the final agreement between the ports of Tacoma and Seattle has been released, heralding a milestone in the formation of a Seaport Alliance that will unify the two ports’ marine cargo terminal investments, operations, planning and marketing. “We intend to make our organizations stronger and more sustainable to better serve our customers, grow our regional economy and address unprecedented competition facing the shipping industry,” said Don Johnson, Port of Tacoma commission president.

28 Jan 2015

Puget Sound Container Volumes Flat in 2014

Port of Seattle image by Don Wilson

Container volumes through Puget Sound’s largest container ports remained flat in 2014, according to numbers released jointly for the first time by the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. “Reporting our combined cargo volumes demonstrates our commitment to the Seaport Alliance,” said Port of Seattle Commission co-President Stephanie Bowman. The two ports announced in October 2014 plans to form a Seaport Alliance to unify management of marine cargo terminals and related functions. Currently in the due diligence phase…

21 Jan 2015

Puget Sound Container Volumes Flat in 2014

Photo: Port of Seattle

Container volumes through Puget Sound’s largest container ports remained flat in 2014, according to numbers released jointly for the first time by the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. “Reporting our combined cargo volumes demonstrates our commitment to the Seaport Alliance,” said Port of Seattle Commission co-President Stephanie Bowman. The two ports announced in October 2014 plans to form a Seaport Alliance to unify management of marine cargo terminals and related functions. Currently in the due diligence phase…

20 Aug 2014

Maritime Security West Conference Underway in Tacoma

Tacoma Fire Department’s MetalCraft fireboat was on display at the 2014 Maritime Security West conference, now underway in Tacoma. (Photo by E. H. Lundquist)

The 2014 Maritime Security West conference is underway in Tacoma, Washington. The preconference day included tours of the Port of Tacoma, the City of Tacoma’s Marine Security Operations Center and the opportunity to view and ride a large number of tactical craft belonging to local police, sheriff fire and rescue departments at the Foss Waterway Seaport moorage. King County Sheriff’s Department gave a flying demonstration of the airborne tactical extraction platform (AirTEP). SeaBotix provided a demonstration of a remotely operated underwater vehicle.

04 Mar 2014

New Legislation Aims to Help American Ports

Jim McDermott

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) introduced The Maritime Goods Movement Act for the 21st Century (H.R. 4105) legislation that would replace the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT), designed to fund the operation and maintenance of American ports. McDermott said HMT is outdated and currently incentivizes shippers to bypass American ports and move goods bound for the United States through Canada and Mexico, amounting to $30 million in losses to maritime infrastructure, with losses expected to increase if current trends continue.

26 Jan 2009

Petrich President, Port of Tacoma

The Port of Tacoma Commission named Clare Petrich Commission President and elected officers for 2009 on Jan. 22. Positions among Commissioners rotate yearly, based on procedures approved by the Port Commission in 1999. Petrich replaces Port Commissioner Dick Marzano as Commission President. Marzano will serve as Assistant Secretary in 2009. Port of Tacoma Commissioners serve four-year terms. The five-member Commission is the governing body of the Port, setting policy and authorizing major expenditures. Port Commission meetings and study sessions are open to the public and are held at The Fabulich Center (formerly Port Business Center), 3600 Port of Tacoma Road. Pierce County voters first elected Petrich to the Port Commission in 1995. She was re-elected in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

11 Dec 2003

Port of Tacoma Commission Authorizes 2004 Budget

Closing 2003, a year in which the Port of Tacoma projects a record 1.73 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent 'containers') and projects a record $83.8 million in total revenue, the Port Commission has authorized a 2004 budget designed to continue the Port's focus on long-term investments in facilities, regional economic development and the environment. The $194.7 million budgeted for 2004 capital improvements represents the first year of the Port's five-year, $321.3 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP). According to Andrea Riniker, Executive Director, these new capital projects and investments are not only supporting the Port of Tacoma's expansion plans…

11 Dec 2003

Port of Tacoma Authorizes Budget

focus on long-term investments in facilities, regional economic development and the environment. Program (CIP). Tacoma-Pierce County economy. environmental cleanup and wildlife habitat restoration. debt. market, this is the ideal time for the Port to make these investments. the long-term nature of Port investments. projecting steady growth, but not the dramatic growth of 2002 and 2003. levy. valuation; this amounts to $37.18 on a $200,000 home. allowed to levy a tax of 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. remaining fiscally responsible," he said. tax levy is projected to generate $9.2 million in 2003.

24 Jan 2001

People & Company News

Maritime Surveys Ltd., Shoreham, Sussex, U.K., recently took delivery of the first SeaBat 8160 multibeam echosounder system from RESON A/S. The SeaBat 8160 was installed on one of Maritime's survey vessels, the Scotian Shore. Alastair MacDonald, managing director of Maritime Surveys, commented on the success of the sea trials: "The SeaBat 8160 delivered the highest quality multibeam survey data in a swath width of 1,300 meters at 3,000 meters water depth, even when experiencing a near 20 degree roll and 12 degree pitch. The excellent data quality combined with the system's portability makes the 8160 extremely valuable for our operations." During these trials the system was supported by GSE Rentals of Aberdeen who supplied a TSS POS M/V 320 system.

22 Oct 2004

Port of Tacoma Picks New Director

The Port of Tacoma Commission today selected Timothy J. Farrell as the Port's Executive Director, effective January 1, 2005. Farrell has served as the Port of Tacoma's Deputy Executive Director since 2000 and as Acting Executive Director since July 1, 2004. Andrea Riniker, who has served as the Port's Executive Director since 1997, will continue on in a transitional role until January 1, 2005. She will work with the Port Commission, and travel with Farrell and Port of Tacoma Commission President Clare Petrich to meet with customers to assure a smooth changeover to Farrell's leadership. Before joining the Port of Tacoma four years ago, Farrell, 38, was Deputy Port Director of Business & Administration for Massport, Boston.

10 Jan 2005

Bottiger to Lead Port of Tacoma

R. Ted Bottiger was appointed President of the Port of Tacoma Commission by fellow commissioners at the Commission's first meeting of 2005, held Thursday, January 7. Positions among commissioners rotate yearly, based on procedures approved by the Port Commission in 1999. Bottiger replaces Port Commissioner Clare Petrich as Commission President. Petrich will serve as Assistant Secretary in 2005. Bottiger was appointed Port Commissioner in March 1997, elected in November 1997, and re-elected in November 2001. Before serving as a Port Commissioner, he served four years as an Assistant Attorney General for Washington State and spent 23 years in private legal practice. Bottiger also served 23 years in the Washington State Legislature, the last five years as Senate Majority Leader.

12 Aug 2005

Environmental Groups Receive Funding

At a special action Port of Tacoma Commission, eight non-profit environmental groups received funding, and the Commission passed a resolution in support of the Shared Strategy for Puget Sound. The Port of Tacoma, Pierce County and the City of Tacoma jointly announced a total of $41,888 to environmental groups that are working to improve the environment of Commencement Bay and the lower Puyallup River watershed. Ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 per group, the source of the one-time awards are excess dollars funded but not spent on earlier, successfully completed Port, County and City environmental projects. According to R. Ted Bottiger, Port of Tacoma Commission President…

26 Jul 2007

Tacoma Plans Terminal for Yusen Terminal Tacoma Inc.

The Port of Tacoma announced plans to build a $300m, 168-acre (68-hectare) container terminal on the industrial east side of Tacoma's Blair Waterway. The terminal will be leased to a container terminal operator, Yusen Terminal Tacoma Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYK Line. The plan was approved by NYK Line at its Board of Directors July 26 meeting in Tokyo, Japan. The Port of Tacoma Commission will hold a special meeting in Tacoma tonight to consider and approve the final lease. The lease agreement will introduce Yusen Terminal Tacoma Inc. (YTTI) to the Pacific Northwest. Another subsidiary of NYK Line, Yusen Terminals, Inc. (YTI), is currently operating a terminal in the Port of Los Angeles and now the NYK Group is expanding into the Puget Sound.