Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Seattle 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 2020

Seattle Cancels Two Cruise Calls Amid Coronavirs Outbreak

© JW_PNW / Adobe Stock

The Port of Seattle announced Wednesday that it has canceled two cruise ship calls to help curb the spread of the novel coronoavirus.“This region is in a public health emergency and we will cancel the first two sailings of our cruise season,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Peter Steinbrueck. “The health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority.”The canceled one-day stops by Grand Princess and Celebrity Eclipse on April 1 and 5 respectively were to…

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.

18 Apr 2019

Seattle Port Celebrates 20th Year of Cruising

The Port of Seattle, celebrating 20 years as a homeport, welcomes the 2019 cruise season with the arrival of the first ship—Celebrity Eclipse, at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66.“Over twenty years ago this community turned a novel idea into a nearly $900 million industry and helped the Port become the most environmentally progressive home port in North America,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Stephanie Bowman.“Today that economic opportunity reaches all the way from Eastern Washington farms and ranches that provide food for cruise customers, to King County attractions that depend upon summer season travelers to support year-round activities.

19 Dec 2017

Port of Seattle Names Metruck Executive Director

Stephen Metruck (Photo: Stephen P. Metruck)

The Port of Seattle Commission has appointed retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Stephen P. Metruck as its new Executive Director, effective February 1, 2018. Metruck will succeed interim executive director Dave Soike, who took over following the resignation of port CEO Ted Fick in February 2017. Metruck brings 34 years of executive experience in maritime, security and financial leadership to his new role. Most recently, Metruck was Commander of the Mid-Atlantic Region, overseeing 3…

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…

13 Oct 2016

Norwegian to Build New Ship for Alaska Cruising

Image: Port of Seattle

Norwegian Cruise Line will commence a new era of Alaska cruising beginning June 2018, as the company announced today that its next new vessel, Norwegian Bliss, will be custom-built with features and amenities for Alaska cruising. Norwegian Bliss will cruise to America’s Last Frontier from Seattle and will be the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to make its debut in the Emerald City. At a ceremony held at Port of Seattle’s Pier 66, Norwegian President and CEO Andy Stuart shared the news alongside Port of Seattle CEO Ted Fick and Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton.

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.

12 Apr 2016

Northwest Seaport Alliance Plans $141 Mln Terminal Upgrade

Photo: Northwest Seaport Alliance

The Northwest Seaport Alliance, a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, announced that its managing members have approved $141 million worth of construction and cranes to dock two of the largest containerships simultaneously at Husky Terminal in the South Harbor. The actions also included a 20-year lease extension, allowing Husky Terminal and Stevedoring to operate the terminal until 2046. “This is a real historic moment for the alliance,” Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton said during the meeting.

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 Jan 2016

Port of Seattle Welcomes New Commissioner

The Port of Seattle welcomed its newest commissioner, Fred Felleman, as he took the oath of office along with reelected Commissioner Courtney Gregoire at Tuesday’s  Commission meeting. The commission officers for 2016 were also announced. Commissioner John Creighton will serve as Commission President while Commissioner Tom Albro will serve as Commission Vice President, Commissioner Stephanie Bowman will serve as Commission Secretary, Commissioner Courtney Gregoire will serve as Assistant Secretary, and Commissioner Felleman will be Commissioner-at-Large. “The Port of Seattle starts 2016 focused on growing the middle-class jobs that ports bring to the region,” Creighton said.

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…

22 May 2014

Holland America Line Named 'Marine Environmental Business of the Year'

Holland America Line was named the 2014 Marine Environmental Business of the Year by the Port of Seattle. Port commissioner Courtney Gregoire presented the award to Keith Taylor, senior vice president, fleet operations, at the Seattle Propeller Club’s Maritime Festival Lunch held Tuesday, May 13, 2014, aboard Carnival Miracle, which was docked at Port of Seattle. The cruise line was recognized for its efforts to reduce its global environmental footprint through a series of objectives that greatly reduce consumption of fuel and water, engine emissions and generation of solid waste, along with increasing recycling across its fleet of 15 ships.

17 May 2014

Senators Murray, Cantwell Secure Wins for Ports of Seattle, Tacoma

U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) yesterday announced that a critical provision they authored to reform the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) and significantly benefit the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma was included in the bipartisan, bicameral deal on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) released in the afternoon. As “donor ports,” the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma currently receive just pennies for each dollar they contribute to the HMTF through collected shipping taxes, while other ports around the country disproportionately receive millions more. The provision included in the WRRDA deal today reforms the HMTF…

12 Dec 2012

Korean Company Extends Port of Seattle Berthing Lease

Seattle Harbor: Photo credit Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle Commission approves lease extension with Total Terminals International (TTI), a J/V subsidiary of Hanjin Shipping & Terminal Investment Limited (TIL). The ten-year lease extension will secure continued volume and revenue at Terminal 46 for the next 13 years, through 2025. Hanjin Shipping, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is a subsidiary of the Hanjin Group, a large transportation conglomerate that includes Korean Air Lines. Hanjin is the largest container line in Korea and the 8th largest worldwide.