Seattle and Tacoma Ports Unite

Commissioners from the ports of Tacoma and Seattle have formally launched the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the first of its kind in North America.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance unifies the two ports’ marine cargo terminal investments, operations, planning and marketing to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more marine cargo to the region.

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the federal agency that oversees the shipping industry, voted unanimously to approve the agreement last month.

FMC Chairman Mario Cordero said, “This alliance would become the third-largest trade gateway in North America, behind the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the Port of New York/New Jersey. The Pacific Northwest is a key region for inbound and outbound United States cargo, moving cargo not only for the regional trade, but also cargo headed to destinations throughout the entire U.S. Midwest, and this Alliance will help the region remain competitive into the future.”

While the ports remain separate organizations that retain ownership of their respective assets, they formed a port development authority (PDA) to manage the container, breakbulk, auto and some bulk terminals in Seattle and Tacoma. The airport; cruise business; marinas, such as Fisherman’s Terminal; grain terminals and industrial real estate, such as the Northwest Innovation Works and Puget Sound Energy facilities and Terminal 91 uplands, will remain outside the alliance.

The PDA will be governed jointly by the two ports through their elected commissions.

“Creating the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the third largest cargo gateway in North America, is truly historic and signals a new era of cooperation between our ports,” said Port of Seattle Commission co-President Courtney Gregoire. “Combining our strong cargo terminal operations will make our region more competitive in the global economy and create new jobs in Washington.”

“We have moved from fierce competitors to bold collaborators to form a new business model for the greater good of our region,” said Don Johnson, Port of Tacoma commission president. “We recognize how critical the maritime industry is to our state’s economy, and we are proud and excited to strengthen it even more.”