e-Port: Tacoma’s intermodal volumes continue strong

March 2012

Tacoma’s intermodal volumes continue strong
Continued increases in international and domestic intermodal container traffic helped drive the Port of Tacoma’s intermodal volumes up 16 percent through February. This is the fourth month in a row that intermodal volumes have increased. For the same time period, total container volumes dropped by 4 percent.

Other year-over-year Tacoma cargo results:

• Breakbulk volumes rose 51 percent, piqued by strong demand for construction and agriculture equipment.
• Imported auto units are up 7 percent, illustrating improving U.S. auto sales.
• Log exports slipped 28 percent, due to a slowing Chinese real estate market and the general economy.

See all Port cargo stats.

Washington United Terminals wins Grand Alliance business
The Grand Alliance, a group of three major shipping lines, has chosen the Port of Tacoma’s Washington United Terminals (WUT) as its northwest port-of-call. The three lines, NYK Line, OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd, are expected to begin calling at WUT in July.

The new business likely will lead to a significant increase in the number of jobs for port workers, and could restore the Port’s business close to 2006 peak levels before the recession slowed imports.

Find out more about WUT.

Celebrate Lincoln Avenue corridor April 2
Join the Port of Tacoma and City of Tacoma to celebrate the opening of the Lincoln Avenue corridor on Monday, April 2, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at the Gog-le-hi-te Wetland (near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Stewart Street). The Lincoln Avenue corridor is a vital link between downtown Tacoma and the Port. It includes the City’s Lincoln Avenue Bridge, completed this past December, and the Port’s Lincoln Avenue Grade Separation, completed last summer.

Port strategic plan, brand unveils at April 24 annual breakfast
Guests at the Port’s April 24 annual breakfast will be among the first to hear about the Port’s new direction. The program will feature highlights of how the new strategic plan and identity sets the course for success in a highly competitive industry.

The program also will feature the Port’s first-ever Summit Awards winners. These awards recognize Port tenants and customers for their business development, environmental stewardship and community support.

Peter Tirschwell, senior vice president of strategy at the Journal of Commerce, will be the keynote speaker. Register for the 7:30 a.m. event at the Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma.

OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS

Progress Rail now employs more than 100 people at the facility it leases from the Port of Tacoma. It’s grown dramatically from the eight people who started three years ago at the Tacoma location. The company specializes in locomotive repair, upgrades and railcar repairs. About 75 percent of its work involves environmental upgrades to locomotives. Progress Rail is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar. Find out more about Progress Rail.

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation is building a new fishing vessel in Tacoma for Alaskan Leader Fisheries. At 184-feet in length, the Northern Leader will be the largest fishing boat built in the Pacific Northwest in more than 20 years. Find out more about Martinac.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 30
Doing Business in Hong Kong and Greater China
World Trade Center Tacoma
7:45 to 9 a.m.

March 31
84th Annual Steamship Dinner
Seattle Marriott Waterfront
6 p.m.
Cost: $135 per person
Information/registration: 1-800-228-9290

April 2
Lincoln Avenue Corridor Opening Celebration
2 to 2:30 p.m. at the Gog-le-hi-te Wetland
Information: lyost@cityoftacoma.org, 253-428-8613

April 9
Transportation Club of Tacoma luncheon
(Joint meeting with the Transportation Club of Seattle)
LaQuinta Inn
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $20 prepaid
Speaker: Steve Gordon, COO of Gordon Trucking 

April 24
Port of Tacoma Annual Breakfast
Hotel Murano
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door 

April 24
Tacoma Propeller Club meeting
Tacoma Yacht Club
5:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Program: Scholarships
RSVP: 253-627-0671 or cnigretto@portoftacoma.com

In what year did Washington United Terminals open?

Answer to last month’s question: TOTE ships started calling in Tacoma in 1976.

Email your answer to businessreport@portoftacoma.com. Three responders, chosen at random, will win a special gift. Entries close Friday, April 6.

NOTE: Port of Tacoma employees and family members can enter for fun, but they are not eligible to win the prizes in this contest.