The result is a fresh new outlook for Tacoma focusing on four key areas – strategic investment in port infrastructure to better move freight to market, increasing the diversity of the port’s business portfolio, becoming best in class for customer care and ensuring corporate responsibility.
A port spokesperson said to Port Strategy: “The port wants to focus its attention and resources on the areas that will continue to make us most competitive in the future.”
Tacoma has a hefty project list, including the redevelopment and expansion of the peninsula bounded by the Sitcum and Blair waterways into a “highly efficient container terminal” capable of handling the world’s largest ships.
There are also plans to expand Tideflats rail to receive and deliver mile 1.5 mile long unit trains, as well as a second rail crossing over the Puyallup River.
Tacoma says the change in tact is needed to better position itself for success in the global shipping industry and a still sluggish US economy.