en.Wedoany.com Reported - HMM is advancing a modernization project at Washington United Terminals in the Port of Tacoma, U.S., aimed at boosting the terminal's annual container throughput capacity by nearly 50%, from approximately 590,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 880,000 TEUs. The project also seeks to improve cargo flow efficiency and prepare the facility to accommodate calls from larger container vessels.

Washington United Terminals serves as a vital gateway for trans-Pacific routes and a key node in HMM's North American network. This investment further solidifies HMM's long-term presence at the gateway ports of The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), which comprises the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

The renovation includes upgrading cargo-handling equipment at the terminal to enhance productivity and operational efficiency. Specifically, the project will replace two ship-to-shore cranes that have reached the end of their service life and add two new rubber-tired gantry cranes as part of the terminal's overall upgrade. The new equipment is expected to be delivered and put into operation by 2028.

Dick Marzano, co-chair of the NWSA and president of the Port of Tacoma Commission, stated that as North American ports compete to attract cargo and vessel calls, such investments reflect confidence in the Seattle-Tacoma gateway. He added that the project will support calls from larger vessels, future cargo growth, and the delivery of reliable service to customers.

The terminal improvements aim to strengthen supply chain performance amid continued growth in international trade volumes and vessel capacity. Zachary Thomas, chief operating officer and vice president of Washington United Terminals, noted that customers rely on reliable, efficient connections to global markets, and these enhancements will boost cargo throughput capacity and help the terminal adapt to the evolving demands of international trade.

Ryan Calkins, co-chair of the NWSA and president of the Port of Seattle Commission, pointed out that this investment not only modernizes terminal operations but also reinforces HMM's commitment to anchoring cargo at the NWSA gateway. He stated that the project will benefit customers and support thousands of regional jobs tied to international trade.