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.