Kobe Earthquake of 1995 remembered at Port of Seattle

A shipping container sent from the Port of Kobe to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and highlight the Port of Kobe's restoration will arrive at the Port of Seattle tomorrow.

The container is one of seven sent from Kobe to trading partners around the world. Other destinations include Vancouver, Canada; Tianjin, China; Bangkok, Thailand; Manzanillo, Panama; Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Keelung, Taiwan.

In a letter to Port of Seattle Commission President Bob Edwards, Kobe Mayor Tatsuo Yada expressed thanks for the Port of Seattle's support and assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake and during reconstruction. The Port of Kobe was rebuilt and fully functional just two years after the quake.

The commemorative container will arrive at the Port of Seattle's Terminal 18 at approximately 6 p.m. aboard the NYK Santa Monica.

"The people of Seattle and Kobe have enjoyed a long and warm relationship, and Japan is one of the Port's leading trading partners,'' said Port Commission President Bob Edwards. "Everyone at the Port applauds the outstanding progress by the citizens of Kobe in rebuilding their port and their city. It's an honor for us to receive this commemorative container in Seattle.