Weathering the Storm
It’s no secret that the economic and financial crisis battering the world economy is acutely felt in the global maritime and transportation industry. Cargo volumes are down in Seattle and at other ports. Naturally, that means less business for the various private partners that provide essential services in our harbor, including transload facilities, trucking companies, the railroads, warehouses, longshore workers and drayage drivers. We’re not alone. Port regions across the country and around the world are feeling the same ripple effect.
The American consumer is pulling back and credit is tight. Factories in China – the single largest source of cargo for many carriers and ports – are closing. Terminal operators are curtailing operating hours in some places. Container ships are laid up and carriers are consolidating and rerouting services. In fact, Maersk Line and CMA-CGM recently announced that they plan to begin calling at the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 18 with a joint service next spring. For the Port, that news is the silver lining in a big, gray cloud.
The Seaport Division has completed most of the major projects in its current capital improvement program. We’ve already issued the bonds to fund completion the Terminal 30/91 project, which will provide a home for China Shipping at Terminal 30 and create a new cruise terminal on Pier 91. Both parts of the project are slated for completion in the first half of 2009.
Our cruise business set records this year with 886,000 passengers – surpassing Vancouver, BC for the first time – and 210 vessel calls.
We also saw record grain exports at Terminal 86, which is leased and operated by Louis Dreyfus. More than 5.9 million metric tons of corn, soybeans and sorghum moved through the facility in 2009. That figure represents an increase of 22 percent over 2007.
Key infrastructure projects that will improve our harbor’s competitiveness when the economy improves and cargo volume rebounds are moving ahead, including State Route 519 and the East Marginal Way grade separation project. Combined with BNSF’s recent intermodal capacity expansion in Seattle and the Union Pacific’s plan to add local intermodal capacity, those projects will support the rebound we’ll see when the economy recovers.
For 50 years Seattle Transload has steadfastly provided a wide range of services to support maritime trade and transportation in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
“We handle import and export of everything you can imagine,” said Hayley Stump, logistics director at Seattle Transload.
Since 2003, the company has operated on 10 acres at the Port-owned Terminal 104 facility, 3629 Duwamish Ave. SW.
 Seattle Transload works closely with its sister company Seattle Bulk Rail, on 6 adjacent acres at Terminal 104. The companies have a 36,000 square foot warehouse with 45 bay doors and two USDA certified scales. The transload facility can transfer granular cargoes from hopper cars to containers with a capacity of 45 railcars daily. Cross-dock boxcar to container service also is available. Other features include a staging area for containers, chassis and power units.
“We do all kinds of grains,” Stump said. “From wheat, barley and oats to peas and lentils.”
Other services include container import and distribution, trucking and brokering. “It’s truly one-stop shopping,” said Stump.
If you’d like your company to be featured in our Partner Profile, e-mail Mick Shultz.
The Washington State Department of Ecology has established an external stakeholder workgroup to facilitate a collaborative effort with the businesses, the community and environmental interests. The workgroup’s purpose is to develop a more effective industrial stormwater general permit. During this process, protections under the existing permit will remain in effect. The stakeholder committee will address a broad range of issues including stormwater research and development, education and outreach, compliance inspections and enforcement. Find more information here.
If you have questions, please contact Bill Moore at 360-407-6444.
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program administered by the Department of Homeland Security will be implemented in Puget Sound in February of 2009. Personnel requiring access to Coast Guard regulated Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) facilities must have their TWIC cards or someone with a TWIC card to escort them onto these facilities beginning in February. The Port of Seattle encourages those who need a TWIC card to enroll as soon as possible. Information is available online or by calling the TWIC hotline at 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942). The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. EST.
| Cargo |
YTD October 2008 |
Change |
| Total TEUs |
1,458,881 |
-11.5% |
| International TEUs |
1,174,979 |
-13.3% |
| Domestic TEUs |
283,902 |
-3.5% |
| Grain Metric Tons |
5,378,655 |
+25.0% |
| Petroleum |
762,115 |
-11.9% |
| Molasses |
43,694 |
+24.8% |
The City of Seattle has begun:
- Relocation of a water main, closing east-bound lower South Spokane Street between First and Sixth Avenue South for all but local access.
- Repaving projects along First Avenue South between East Marginal Way and South Spokane Street, and between South Stacey Street and Dearborn Street.
To ensure freight mobility in the Duwamish area during construction, the City has established a team to monitor impacts and troubleshoot as needed. Contact the team by calling or e-mailing Katherine Bush, SDOT public relations specialist, at 206-233-1084. Port staff will continue to work with City and WSDOT staff to minimize impacts on Port-related truck traffic.
To stay apprised of road construction developments and truck street notifications.
Sporting and Special Events
Mariner Baseball at Safeco Field
Stadium Exhibition Center Events
(206) 381-7555
Other Port Events
Check the Port of Seattle Events page for a listing of upcoming events.
Audio recordings and live streaming video of Commission meetings are available on the Port’s Web site, along with news releases of key actions and agendas for upcoming meetings. You can watch recorded Commission meetings Sundays at 1 p.m. on King County TV (Digital Cable 22).
What was the Port of Seattle’s top export commodity in 2007?
Hint: The answer is on our Web site.
E-mail your answer.
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