SSA Marine’s Terminal 18 exceeded 1 million TEUs in yearly container volume. This is the first time in Washington’s history that a single marine terminal handled a million TEUs in a year. Now, the terminal is on track to surpass 1.1 million TEUs by the end of 2018.
What is more, Terminal 18 has invested in rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) during 2018 to enhance both reliability and productivity in handling containers. These investments and operational efficiencies were key in attracting two new services this year (the AL5 and PNS) and an additional ocean carrier (SM Lines).
SSA Marine also improved productivity in collaboration with ILWU Local 19 to start vessel operations, a manning agreement that staggers break schedules to handle more cargo per day. In April, it became the first terminal in Puget Sound to move 5,500 containers on and off a single vessel, averaging 30 crane moves per hour.
Don Meyer, Port of Tacoma commission president and co-chair of the NWSA, stated on the occasion:
To reach 1 million TEUs at a Puget Sound terminal for the first time is an enormous achievement and a testament to the value of working together under the banner of The Northwest Seaport Alliance
