Seattle and Tacoma ports join hands to take on Canada

Vancouver

THE ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, said they will unify management of marine cargo terminals amid heightened competition from Canadian gateways. The alliance will oversee investments, operations, planning and marketing at cargo terminals, the ports said in a joint statement last week.

"We'll be able to plan our investments in port infrastructure strategically," Stephanie Bowman, co-president of the Port of Seattle Commission, said. This will help the ports "meet demand without overbuilding". The ports of Seattle and Tacoma began talks this year on finding ways to work together to attract more shipping to Washington's Puget Sound. The effort follows volume gains in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, at the expense of US ports.