The Port of Tacoma recognized its strong, supportive relationships with customers and stakeholders by honoring three with the fourth annual Summit Awards for their outstanding contributions to Port business and the Pierce County community.
Presented March 25 at the Port’s Annual Breakfast, award recipients included the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center for Livable Community, Harley Marine Services for Environmental Stewardship and Regal Logistics for Business Magnet.
“We are incredibly proud of the Port’s customers and stakeholders who make our community prosperous, livable and environmentally friendly,” Commission President Don Johnson said at the event. “We are pleased to recognize three here today, and we look forward to opportunities to recognize the accomplishments of others in the coming years.”
Award winners were recognized in the following categories:
Livable Community: Tacoma Seafarers’ Center
The Tacoma Seafarers’ Center has been a Port of Tacoma tenant since 1978. The non-profit organization’s roster of 25 dedicated volunteers serve more than 10,000 seafarers on more than 700 ships each year. The center offers Internet connections, phones, refreshments, television, reading material, a chapel, a sundry store and local transportation to seafarers who arrive on cargo ships.
Each Christmas holiday, the center gathers gift boxes with hats, gloves, socks, toiletries, cookies and candy. Last year, the center distributed 1,700 gift boxes to 86 ships.
Environmental Stewardship: Harley Marine Services
Founded in 1987, Harley Marine Services has minimized its environmental impact through all aspects of its operations. Operating from its LEED Gold-certified headquarters, the Seattle-based tug and barge company focuses on using the newest and best engines, installing shore power when possible and instituting company-wide recycling initiatives.
Replacing 12 vessel engines reduced nitrogen oxide emissions by 47 percent and particulate matter by 57 percent. The company also recycles its waste oil and bilge water, as well as plastic, aluminum, glass, paper and composting. Its 2011 “Go Paperless!” initiative reduced paper use by 37 percent.
Business Magnet: Regal Logistics
Regal Logistics has provided warehousing, distribution and logistics services to Port customers since 1984. Since then, the family-owned company has more than doubled the size of its Fife distribution center to 1.2 million square feet.
With continual investments in information technology, the company tracks goods in real time from when they land at the Port of Tacoma until they reach store shelves. Regal employed more than 125 full-time local workers in 2014, as well as another 100 to 300 seasonal staff.
Recipients were selected by a panel of community and business leaders led by Commissioner Connie Bacon. The panel included Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Port of Tacoma Endowed Chair Joel Baker, who leads research at the Center for Urban Waters, and Vince Santiago, president of the Tacoma Transportation Club.
To receive updates about the awards and the Annual Breakfast, subscribe to the Port’s email list.
About the Port of Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America. The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks.