Ports of Seattle, Tacoma vote to formally launch The Northwest Seaport Alliance

With several historic votes Tuesday, commissioners from the ports of Tacoma and Seattle formally launched The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the first of its kind in North America.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance unifies the two ports's marine cargo terminal investments, operations, planning and marketing to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more marine cargo to the region.

"Creating the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the third largest cargo gateway in North America, is truly historic and signals a new era of cooperation between our ports," said Port of Seattle Commission co-President Courtney Gregoire. "Combining our strong cargo terminal operations will make our region more competitive in the global economy and create new jobs in Washington."

"We have moved from fierce competitors to bold collaborators to form a new business model for the greater good of our region," said Don Johnson, Port of Tacoma commission president. "We recognize how critical the maritime industry is to our state's economy, and we are proud and excited to strengthen it even more."

The Federal Maritime Commission, the federal agency that oversees the shipping industry, voted unanimously July 23 to approve the agreement.

The PDA will be governed jointly by the two ports through their elected commissions. Among the votes they took Tuesday, the commissioners hired John Wolfe, current Port of Tacoma chief executive officer, as the CEO of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Wolfe will lead both organizations through a transition period of up to five years.

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