This commentary appeared in the print edition of the Jan. 6, 2020, Journal of Commerce Annual Review and Outlook.
The shipping industry has experienced its share of uncertainty and disruption over the last several years. Now we face another wave of unprecedented challenges — from tariffs to the International Maritime Organization’s new low-sulfur fuel regulations to increasing demands that ever-larger container ships place on terminal infrastructure and operations. Like it or not, another period of transformational change stands before us.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the cargo-operating partnership between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, is implementing our plan to tackle these new layers of complexity in the next decade.
We are forging ahead with major infrastructure investments to redevelop marine terminal facilities at both harbors. We have committed to a half-billion-dollar public–private partnership to modernize Terminal 5 in Seattle, which broke ground last summer. We have enhanced our big-ship handling capabilities in Tacoma through berth reconfiguration and acquisition of eight new super-post-Panamax cranes at Husky Terminal, allowing for receiving and handling of up to 18,000-TEU vessels in both harbors. We have both terminal capacity and industrial lands available, providing significant growth opportunities for our valued customers.
In this increasingly competitive environment, our eyes are set on delivering operational excellence and first-in-class service. We continue to work closely with our customers, stakeholders, and supply chain partners to advance initiatives that position the Northwest Seaport Alliance as the gateway of choice for importers and exporters. Such initiatives include our North Harbor Strategy to optimize capacity utilization in Seattle, new technology for added cargo visibility as it moves through our supply chain, and increased terminal and gate productivity.
We must also think innovatively to incorporate technology and processes that provide greater visibility to cargo movement, so customers can plan more effectively. We are partnering in new ways to leverage our strengths and align our efforts with a strong focus on gateway performance and consistent, reliable service.
Change is inevitable; we are focused on executing on a vision that will position us and our customers for success in the years to come.