Friday, April 15, 2016

NW Seaport Alliance Approves Terminal Upgrades

By Mark Edward Nero

The Northwest Seaport Alliance, which is an operational partnership between the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma, has approved $141 million worth of construction and cranes to dock two of the largest container ships simultaneously at Husky Terminal in the South Harbor.

The Alliance’s actions, which were taken on April 7, also include a 20-year lease extension, allowing Husky Terminal and Stevedoring to operate the terminal until 2046.

“This is a real historic moment for the alliance,” Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton said during the meeting. “It’s the first major investment that the two commissions will be approving in our harbors and our gateway.”

The Husky Terminal upgrades include reconstruction of Pier 4 to align it with Pier 3, which would create a contiguous 2,960-foot berth, as well as the purchase of two more super-post-Panamax cranes to join two already ordered. The improvements would allow two 18,000-TEU ships to dock at the same time.

Plans for the reconstructed berth also include conduit for future shore power to allow ships to plug into electricity while at dock.

Construction is estimated to be done in 2018. Future planned Terminal 5 improvements in the North Harbor are currently under environmental review.