August 5 - The ports of Seattle and Tacoma have formally launched the Northwest Seaport Alliance, which they claim is the first of its kind in North America.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance aims to unify the two ports' marine cargo terminal investments, operations, planning and marketing to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more marine cargo to the region.
While the ports remain separate organisations that retain ownership of their respective assets, they have formed a jointly-governed port development authority (PDA) to manage the container, breakbulk, automobile and some bulk terminals in Seattle and Tacoma.
The ports' commissioners elected current Port of Tacoma ceo, John Wolfe, as the new ceo of the Northwest Seaport Alliance. He will lead both gateways through a transition period of up to five years.
