The Puyallup Tribe of Washington and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), the marine cargo operating partnership of the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma, will collaborate to expand shipping capacity through construction of a new berth on the East Blair Waterway at the Port of Tacoma.
The partners expect the project will expand the current berth capacity at the port, allowing it to gain market share and increase economic activity across the Pacific Northwest region.
Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the Puyallup Tribe and the NWSA intend to construct a new pier adjacent to one on the East Blair Waterway and to jointly market and operate both facilities.
The Tribe intends to build a new pier on approximately 22 acres (8.9 hectares) of Tribal property adjacent to the existing East Blair Terminal 1 (EB1). The EB1 terminal is operated by the NWSA and receives Ro-Ro and breakbulk cargo.
The new pier will feature comparable capabilities to the existing pier including an on-dock rail and featuring carbon reduction technology to minimise localised pollution impacts.
The NWSA will offer technical support to ensure consistency and efficiency between the piers.
The Tribe will fund, construct, and own the Puyallup Tribal Terminal and associated acreage to include all maintenance, repair and replacement of facilities. The NWSA will continue to be responsible for cargo activities at EB1.
The Tribe and NWSA will work as a unified provider for the customer base by co-marketing the services, capabilities and attributes of EB1 and the Puyallup Tribal Terminal.