TACOMA, WASHINGTON

The Port of Tacoma is located in the Pacific Northwest and is one of the fastest growing intermodal gateways on the West Coast. In 2008 the Port handled $38.8 billion dollars in trade. Tacoma handles about 1.8 million TEUs annually as well as bulk, breakbulk, project/heavy lift cargos and automobiles. It's natural, deep water harbor (51 feet) and location are ideally situated to handle trade from the Pacific Rim countries. Twelve international steamship lines call at the port, in addition to the four domestic lines from Alaska/Hawaii and Guam.    
   
The Port of Tacoma offers convenient connections to railroads and easy access to major freeways, a plus for companies with tight supply chain schedules. The Port is investing $21.8 million dollars of stimulus money in the Lincoln Avenue grade separation. This project will decrease wait times for trucks going to and from intermodal rail lines. The grade separation is the last project in a $53.2 million dollar expansion begun in 2002. Completion is expected in 2011. A new 68 acre container terminal is in development for the NYK line. Completion is likely tied to TEU volume demand returning to 2007 levels.

The Port of Tacoma is committed to improving the environment and is working with the TOTE Shipping Company to retrofit their terminal with electrical plug-ins. This will greatly decrease diesel particulate in the air. The retrofit is part of the Ports Clean Air Strategy, begun by the Ports of Tacoma, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C in 2008. At this time, over half of the ships that call frequently in Tacoma already meet the 2010 at berth clean air goals.