|
November/December 2011
Tacoma's containerized exports remain strong
Full export container volumes through the Port of Tacoma are up 15 percent year to date through October. Strong performing containerized export sectors include wood and waste products, paper and paperboard, and grain.
About 70 percent of the Port's containerized export cargoes originate in Washington state, with about half being agricultural products.
The Port's year-to-date container volumes through October are up 2 percent, with the Port handling 1,230,723 TEUs. Full import container volumes are down 2 percent for the same time period. Slowing imports continue to reflect tightened consumer spending, as the economy lags.
See all Port cargo stats.
First vessel in FESCO's new service to Vladivostok calls Tacoma
The first vessel in FESCO's Russian Pacific Line service to Vladivostok and the Russian Far East called at the Port Monday. The service offers roll on/roll off ramps that can handle up to 120 metric tons to accommodate FESCO's diverse customer base, including automobiles, trucks and trailers, and heavy industrial machinery.
The top exports from the Pacific Northwest to the Russian Far East include vehicles and parts, mining machinery and agricultural equipment, as well as oil and gas project cargoes. The new service offers a transit time of 14 days from Tacoma to Vladivostok. Read FESCO's news release.
Large export shipment of Genie® lifts highlights Port of Tacoma's role in connecting Washington state products to global markets
The largest single shipment of Genie® lifts to move through the Port of Tacoma is scheduled to arrive Friday in Panama.
More than 75 Genie lifts left the Port's Terminal 7 on the Sitcum Waterway last week on the Tarago, a vessel operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, for delivery to international markets. The Genie lifts exported through the Port were built at the Terex Aerial Work Platforms plants located in Redmond and Moses Lake, Wash.
From Panama, the equipment will ship to customers in Belgium, Argentina and Australia. Learn more.
Work completed on $32 million wharf extension at Washington United Terminals
Officials from Hyundai Merchant Marine, Port of Tacoma, Washington United Terminals (WUT) and several guests recently celebrated the completion of a $32 million extension of the WUT wharf on the 51-foot deep Blair Waterway. The construction project added 600 feet to the terminal's existing 2,000-foot berth to support two "super post-Panamax" container cranes the terminal added in January 2009. Learn more.
Northwest ports win award for clean air strategy
The ports of Tacoma, Seattle and Metro Vancouver, B.C., were honored recently for the innovative techniques of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy to reduce or prevent air pollution and waste.
The Pacific Northwest International Section of the Air and Waste Management Association awarded the three ports with its Environmental Achievement Award. Adopted in 2008, the clean air strategy is the first and only three-port international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas and diesel emissions from maritime operations.
Video highlights benefits of Business Exchange website
The Business Exchange is a Web-based software application that offers shared data on arrival and departure of trains and vessels to and from the Port. Developed jointly by the Port, mainline railroads and terminal operators, the password-protected system allows users to track rail movements to and from the Port from any Internet access point in the world on a 24/7 basis. Learn more about the Business Exchange in this video.
Two new Port publications available
Pacific Gateway: The current issue of the magazine highlights the Port's 30-year intermodal evolution, the role partnerships play in Port environmental projects, the importance of investing in infrastructure to move freight more efficiently and how companies meet the challenges of the Alaska trade. Read the Summer/Fall 2011 issue.
3PL directory: This guide provides information about third-party logistics providers (3PLs) in the Puget Sound area. These companies provide expertise and assistance in keeping cargo on the move to help shippers achieve flexibility, efficiency and reliability in their supply chains. View the directory online or request printed copies.
OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
Senate transportation bill supports freight mobility
The Senate proposal to reauthorize the federal surface transportation program includes two programs aimed at improving the movement of goods: the newly-formed National Freight Program and the Projects of National and Regional Significance (PNRS) grant program. Both programs could help fund the completion of State Route 167, the Port's top transportation priority.
Along with funding freight projects, the National Freight Program redefines the National Freight Network and ensures it is continually updated to reflect how goods move through the system and distribute funds accordingly. The PNRS program funds large, multimodal projects that don't fit neatly into other funding mechanisms. Since it was established in 2005, 73 percent of PNRS funding has supported freight-focused projects.
Learn more about why the Port supports a strategic freight mobility program.
Union Pacific unveils employee-designed AutoFlex rail car
Union Pacific Railroad (UP) unveiled an employee-designed and built AutoFlexTM rail car during a ceremony Nov. 4 at a car shop in De Soto, Mo.
The 90-foot-long, multi-level car can easily transform from two to three decks based on a customer's vehicle needs: three decks to transport small vehicles or two decks to accommodate large vehicles, UP officials said. UP holds 15 patents related to the car's design and build. The Class I railroad plans to build 100 AutoFlex cars this year and 200 or more in 2012. Learn more on UP's website.
John Parrott honored by US Maritime Academy
John Parrott, president of Totem Ocean Trailer Express, was honored in October by his alma mater, the U.S. Merchant Maritime Academy, with the 2011 Outstanding Professional Achievement Award. Learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, Dec. 5
CONNIE Annual Awards luncheon
Newark Club
Newark, N.J.
Dec. 7 to 9
Washington Public Ports Association Annual Meeting
Bellevue
Monday, Dec. 12
Transportation Club of Tacoma luncheon
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tacoma Yacht Club
Cost: $30 prepaid
This holiday event benefits the Emergency Food Network, and a trailer will be on site to collect non-perishable food contributions.
Monday, Dec. 12
Agriculture Transportation Coalition Upper Midwest Workshop
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Embassy Suites Bloomington
Minneapolis, Minn.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Tacoma Propeller Club holiday party
Pacific Grill Convention Center
5:30 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free to members; $25 for non-members
RSVP to cnigretto@portoftacoma.com
Monday, Jan. 9
Tacoma Transportation Club luncheon
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
C.I. Shenanigan's
Speaker: Marilyn Strickland, City of Tacoma mayor
Cost: $30 prepaid
Thursday, Jan. 30
Agriculture Transportation Coalition Pacific Northwest Workshop
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
8235 N.E. Airport Way
Portland, Ore.
READER POLL
Do you think U.S. retailers will have stronger sales for the holiday season this year than they did last year?
Email your answer to businessreport@portoftacoma.com. Three responders, chosen at random, will win a special gift. Entries close Friday, Dec. 2.
NOTE: Port of Tacoma employees and family members can enter for fun, but they are not eligible to win the prizes in this contest.
|
