The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for a fundamental shift in consumer behavior that will have lasting implications for shippers and the entire supply chain. The challenges we face today are also an opportunity to rethink service delivery and consider new ways to add value for customers while diversifying our gateway portfolio.
Spending more time at home, consumers have embraced -e-commerce for its convenience and safety. The Northwest Seaport Alliance is uniquely positioned to handle the surge in e-commerce business and the insatiable demand for -fulfillment/transload warehousing space. The Seattle–Tacoma gateway has an abundance of transload capacity and industrial land available near port property to support the current and future needs of e-commerce supply chains.
We are re-examining the competitive landscape, taking into consideration this “new normal” to identify strategic opportunities for increasing service offerings and value for our customers. Through targeted rail incentives with a focus on some key inland destinations, we see an opportunity to grow our intermodal volumes.
While we continue to invest and build on our existing big-ship handling capabilities, we have capacity, landside operations, and a commitment to delivering best-in-class service that make us uniquely qualified for handling smaller vessels and expedited ocean services.
It goes without saying that 2020 was a volatile year for the industry. It’s tested the resiliency of supply chains that inherently depend on consistency and reliability. We remain focused on, yet adaptive to, market dynamics to cultivate strategic and innovative partnerships. The inland terminal in Minot, North Dakota, which launched a rail service between Seattle-Tacoma and the Midwest, adds another passage for Midwest-based exporters and supports US export growth.
2021 will likely be another challenging year, yet we remain optimistic for a more consistent flow of cargo and stronger year overall. Nevertheless, we have our work cut out for us as we continue to adjust to the changes in global trade; we need to continue to collaborate as we navigate this redefined landscape.