The Northwest Seaport Alliance
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Tacoma and Seattle. The first partnership of its kind in North America, the NWSA is the fourth-largest container gateway in the United States and a key economic transport hub.
Formed in 2015 as a result of competition from other local ports, the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma officially merged all marine cargo operations, where the alliance is overseen by both elected port commissions.
Located in the Pacific Northwest in Washington state, The Northwest Seaport Alliance offers shorter U.S.-to-Asia transits, as well as a deep connection to Alaska and Hawaii. Some of the top international trading partners include China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and many more ports across the world.
Key domestic responsibilities include handling 80% of all trade between Alaska and the continental United States, and being the main facilitator of trade from Hawaii. With nearly $75 billion in international trade flowing through The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the gateway has a strong impact on the local economy, supporting over 48,000 jobs and $4.3 billion in revenue.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance also prioritizes responsible, sustainable growth. Example projects include reducing diesel emissions, new ecologically friendly technology development, increased renewable energy, and habitat restoration jobs. In 2016 alone, ships calling on The Northwest Seaport Alliance released 764 fewer tons of diesel exhaust into the air than five years prior.