Thursday, October 16, 2014
Top Story
Ports of Seattle and Tacoma commissioners address new alliance
The public had its first chance to comment Tuesday on the new Seaport Alliance between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, a partnership that will unify the marine cargo operations of the two Washington ports.
The two harbor commissions were on hand for the joint meeting, where they unanimously voted to formally submit the Seaport Alliance agreement to the Federal Maritime Commission. The alliance will merge the ports' management of cargo facilities and the commissions' plan will ask the FMC for final approval March 31 — giving them six months to work out the details, such as how to divvy up profits and costs.
The commissions will hold six public meetings on the Seaport Alliance: Oct. 22 and Nov. 6 in Tacoma and Oct. 28 and Nov. 25 in Seattle.
A contingent from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Locals 52 and 19 attended the meeting. Union leaders supported the alliance, noting it will help the region compete with Southern California and B.C. seaports after the Panama Canal expansion is complete in 2016. Local 52 President Christ Romischer worried about protecting the status quo of existing cargo terminals.
"We don't believe the Port of Seattle Commission is looking to change existing cargo terminals," Romischer said. "But we are concerned that in the future, if there is not strong language to protect terminals, such as Terminal 46 or Terminal 5, from developers trying to change them into condos or arenas, we may have an issue in the future."
Commissioners voiced the need for the state to fund a transportation package, upgrade railways and complete Highways 167 and 509.
For more of the Seattle Times story: seattletimes.com
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