Port of Seattle Dedicates New Container Terminal

Facility will generate more jobs, revenue for the region

Officials from China Shipping, Matson, SSA Marine, and the Port of Seattle gathered today in Seattle at the Port’s newest facility, Terminal 30. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke joined in dedicating the cargo terminal, which will support over 400 jobs and generate millions in state and local tax revenues for the region.

The Port invested nearly $50 million in the 70 acre (hectares) facility with two container ship berths. In a joint venture, China Shipping, Matson, and SSA Marine will operate the terminal under a long-term agreement signed in 2007 on Shanghai. Approximately 600 jobs were created by construction of the terminal.

“Our relationship with the Port of Seattle has been strong and productive for many years,” said China Shipping President Li Shaode. “We are pleased to be opening this new facility, which represents a strong commitment to the region for years to come.”

Port Commission President Bill Bryant noted the importance of global trade to Washington. “Over 135,000 jobs in our region are created by the flow of goods to and from our state,” he said. “The Port’s investment in Terminal 30, coupled with the long-term commitment of China Shipping, Matson, and SSA, will keep people working now and generate new jobs and revenue in the years to come.”

Jon Hemingway, CEO, SSA Terminals noted, “It’s great to see the results of all the hard work on the T-30 project. This was truly a collaborative effort by the Port of Seattle, our partner China Shipping and our staff to bring this project in on budget. The final results are a new world class terminal for the Port of Seattle, a 30-year home for China Shipping’s Pacific Northwest operations and the generation for more family wage jobs for our workforce. This project once again demonstrates the competitiveness of Seattle as a gateway for containerized cargo.”

The dedication of the Terminal 30 facility marks the completion of a three-year, multi-million dollar investment by the Port in returning the terminal to use as a cargo-handling facility. For several years the facility was used for the Port’s growing cruise business; earlier this month, the Port opened a new cruise facility, Smith Cove Terminal, at Pier 91.

Learn more about how the Port of Seattle generates jobs and revenue for the Puget Sound region here.