Ports of Seattle, Tacoma Strategize for Growth

Two ports tackle challenges, opportunities in changing competitive landscape

During a joint commission study session held today, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma demonstrated how the two ports are working together to promote the Pacific Northwest as a regional gateway for trade. Ports in British Columbia are competing for U.S.-bound cargo, and expansion of the Panama and Suez canals offers new possibilities for shippers. As new global trade routes emerge, the region’s major seaports have implemented long-term competitive strategies to ensure the state’s continued success as an efficient, green gateway for shippers worldwide.

“The competition our West Coast container ports face is a clear call to action to address our transportation system holistically and seek news ways to promote our region’s environmental advantages,” said Tacoma Commission President Clare Petrich. “It is increasingly important for us to work with others beyond our region for a national strategy to keep goods moving efficiently.”

“The Pacific Northwest gateway ships goods all across the US and sends Washington products to markets all across the globe,” noted Seattle Commission President Bill Bryant. “The jobs and revenue generated by our ports depend on a strong, efficient transportation system. That’s why we’re working together to identify the investments we must make now to remain competitive in the years to come.”

Newly-focused collaborative efforts between the six major West Coast ports are also bearing fruit. The ports of Seattle and Tacoma have joined with the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Portland, the BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad to promote the West Coast as the greenest and most efficient gateway for Asian cargo. Chief executives from the six ports and the two railroads will travel to the World Shipping Summit in China next month to showcase the benefits of West Coast ports to shippers across the globe.