Port of Seattle Posts Record 1999 Air Travel, Competitive Year for Marine Business

27.7 Million Passengers travel through Sea-Tac

(Seattle)--1999 was a challenging year for the Port of Seattle, with record-breaking air travel at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and tough competition for the Port's Marine Division.

A record 27.7 million passengers arrived or departed through Sea-Tac, an increase of 7.1 percent over 1998, making 1999 the 17th straight year of record passenger travel.

Air cargo shipments at the Port of Seattle also increased. A total of 449,432 metric tons of cargo was shipped through the airport, a 4.9-percent increase over 1998. Included in that overall number is a 2.1-percent increase in international air freight.

"Continued record-breaking growth is an enormous challenge for us," said Port of Seattle Executive Director Mic Dinsmore. "We are expanding the airport while nearly 100,000 people travel through it daily. There are going to be inconveniences for travelers, and we are working hard to minimize them." The Port signed a Project Labor Agreement covering planned construction and renovation at Sea-Tac. The PLA--a master labor contract--helps guarantee that projects are completed on time, so disruptions are kept to a minimum.

Many projects will become visible to the public in the year 2000. Renovation of the airport's main terminal, the rebuilding of Concourse A and reconstruction of the airport subway system all get under way this year.

"The best reason to feel good about these statistics is that they result in real, living-wage jobs," said Dinsmore. "We want to make sure that as Sea-Tac grows, everyone in the region shares the benefits."

On the marine side, container volumes through the Seattle Harbor reached 1.49 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units) last year. These nearly equaled 1998 record-breaking volumes of 1.54 million TEUs, despite the move of Hyundai, historically a high-volume line out of the Harbor.

"We reached many of our goals, said Dinsmore. However, our numbers clearly reflect the competitive nature of the shipping business." Port of Seattle container volumes have grown at four percent annually during the past 10 years, ranking Seattle fifth nationally.

"As with any business, the Port can't set new records every year," said Dinsmore. "In 2000 we have the opportunity to ask ourselves some tough questions. The good news is we welcomed seven new steamship services--a 30-percent increase in the volume of services." The new services give shippers more options, and position the Port to take advantage of long-term prospects for growth, both within the harbor and in transpacific trade.

"The Port is vital to our booming economy," said Jack Block, Port Commission President. "Moving goods and people efficiently creates jobs and new economic opportunities for our region. That's why we are focused on our overall impact rather than just one year."

"Our existing customer base is strong, and several of our customers want to expand," said Block. "We are committed to building premier facilities to serve them." To keep pace with the marketplace and to accommodate future growth, the Port recently completed a major expansion at Terminal 5, and began expansion of Terminal 18 in November.

The $300-million Terminal 18 project will double the terminal's container facilities to nearly 200 acres, incorporate new technology and expand on-dock rail. The Port's innovative financing program for this project will save $60 million in Port capital capacity.