Port of Tacoma completes expansion of Washington United Terminals
To meet the growth needs of Hyundai Merchant Marine in the Pacific Northwest, the Port of Tacoma has completed a 22-acre expansion of Washington United Terminals (WUT) on the Blair Waterway.
Now 102 acres, WUT includes four post-Panamax cranes and a 2,000 ft wharf. The facility also includes a 23 acre on-dock intermodal yard with 16,864 feet of track and ramp capacity of 52 doublestack rail cars.
The Port has constructed nearly 300 acres of terminal space on the upper Blair Waterway since 1999.
A year ago, the Port of Tacoma closed 2005 by expanding its international TEU volume by more than 20%. During that year, the Port Commission authorised investment of $132 million in capital projects to lay the foundation for the future of the Port of Tacoma.
Major 2006 cargo capacity-enhancing projects included the completion of major, near-terminal rail expansion projects ($10.5m); groundbreaking for a 22-acre expansion at Washington United Terminals (Hyundai Merchant Marine); completion of the Husky Terminal (‘K’ Line) redevelopment and expansion; widening the Blair Waterway; and demolition and cleanup of the 96-acre former Kaiser Smelter – the future site for new marine terminal development.
According to Port of Tacoma executive director Timothy Farrell, the Port's top priority is to remain ahead of customer growth by expanding on- and near-terminal cargo capacity. "Our five-year capital plan calls for an investment of $336 million with the long-term objective of reaching 10 million TEU by 2025," he said.
In 2006, the Port of Tacoma set a new container record with 2,07 million TEU - a modest increase of about 4,000 TEUs over 2005's record volume. The Port also recorded a 22% increase in non-containerised cargo, with 22% growth in auto imports and 11% growth in breakbulk cargo.
Looking ahead, the Port of Tacoma forecasts modest container growth in 2007. This will be followed by a total expansion of 51% by 2011. According to business planning manager Doug Ljungren, Port container volumes are expected to exceed 3 million TEU in 2010.
Now 102 acres, WUT includes four post-Panamax cranes and a 2,000 ft wharf. The facility also includes a 23 acre on-dock intermodal yard with 16,864 feet of track and ramp capacity of 52 doublestack rail cars.
The Port has constructed nearly 300 acres of terminal space on the upper Blair Waterway since 1999.
A year ago, the Port of Tacoma closed 2005 by expanding its international TEU volume by more than 20%. During that year, the Port Commission authorised investment of $132 million in capital projects to lay the foundation for the future of the Port of Tacoma.
Major 2006 cargo capacity-enhancing projects included the completion of major, near-terminal rail expansion projects ($10.5m); groundbreaking for a 22-acre expansion at Washington United Terminals (Hyundai Merchant Marine); completion of the Husky Terminal (‘K’ Line) redevelopment and expansion; widening the Blair Waterway; and demolition and cleanup of the 96-acre former Kaiser Smelter – the future site for new marine terminal development.
According to Port of Tacoma executive director Timothy Farrell, the Port's top priority is to remain ahead of customer growth by expanding on- and near-terminal cargo capacity. "Our five-year capital plan calls for an investment of $336 million with the long-term objective of reaching 10 million TEU by 2025," he said.
In 2006, the Port of Tacoma set a new container record with 2,07 million TEU - a modest increase of about 4,000 TEUs over 2005's record volume. The Port also recorded a 22% increase in non-containerised cargo, with 22% growth in auto imports and 11% growth in breakbulk cargo.
Looking ahead, the Port of Tacoma forecasts modest container growth in 2007. This will be followed by a total expansion of 51% by 2011. According to business planning manager Doug Ljungren, Port container volumes are expected to exceed 3 million TEU in 2010.
