Protecting the Port
Port officers monitor facilities, rail and road systems, respond to calls and have authority to access all marine terminals and cargo at the Port. Patrol officers also operate round-the-clock camera surveillance, explosives detectors and other technologies to maintain protection of Port facilities, operations and employees.
Port officers work with many government agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Tacoma Police Department, Fife Police Department, Tacoma Fire Department, Pierce County Sheriff, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, Puyallup Nation Police and other state and local law enforcement agencies.
C-TPAT Certification
We are a certified member of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), a government-business coalition committed to security and the flow of international trade. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection program allows member importers to move their cargo more efficiently through security. Port of Tacoma's C-TPAT certificate
TWIC requirements for terminal access
Access for non-TWIC holders
To access restricted Port-operated facilities, you must be accompanied by a person who has been issued a TWIC and trained as an escort. Make arrangements, including cost, with an approved for-hire escort. TWIC Escort list
Leased Port terminals have their own guidelines, and you will need to contact them for more information. Find terminal contact information.
Entry to restricted areas of the Port of Tacoma requires a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identification program ensures that people accessing secure terminals have received a thorough background check and are not a security threat.
A TWIC is required for all Port employees, terminal operators, longshore workers, truckers and others who require regular, unescorted access to restricted areas and vessels.