Seattle: Commissioners of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma in Washington State went before the public on Friday night to explain more about the planned Northwest Seaport Alliance between the two.
The public meeting at the neutral site town of Federal Way in Washington State drew an audience of only a few dozen. This was the first opportunity for members of the public to speak to the issue.
As proposed, the Northwest Seaport Alliance would join the two ports together in an effort to attract shippers, both domestic and international.
Tacoma Port CEO John Wolfe outlined some of the goals in the alliance strategic business plan, including how the NSA will provide infrastructure improvements that will accommodate larger container vessels in Puget Sound.
Kurt Beckett, the deputy CEO at the Port of Seattle, explained that the new entity would have no taxing authority and no authority to condemn property. He said that after 20 years, either partner could declare the dissolution of the alliance.
The ports will remain separate organisations but will form a port development authority (PDA) to manage the container, breakbulk, auto and some bulk terminals in Seattle and Tacoma.
Wolfe is seen as the likely first CEO of the Seaport Alliance.
