We have seen changes in truck volumes at several of our container terminals in recent days. These changes are affecting local traffic.

T-18 in North HarborWhat is happening at Terminal 18?

SSA Marine has experienced increased truck congestion over the last week at T-18 in Seattle. Most of the congestion is due to the overlap of new ocean carrier services arriving to the terminal and old ones that are being discontinued and their cargo is being cleared out. Additionally, drayage drivers are increasingly parking on Spokane Street the night before the terminal gate opens.

We anticipate conditions will improve over the next few weeks as final cargo associated with previous carriers calling on the terminal are dispatched. Also, ocean carrier Matson is in the process of moving from Terminal 18 to Terminal 25, providing further relief to truck traffic.

In the meantime, we are working closely with SSA to help minimize truck backups at its gates. Specifically:

  • SSA has started opening its gates one hour early at 7 a.m.: SSA will explore further extended gate hours as necessary.
  • We are working with Seattle Police Department to ensure truck queuing is not allowed prior to 6:45 a.m. each day.

What is happening at Husky Terminal?

We have experienced truck congestion over the last week at Husky Terminal in Tacoma resulting from the recent shift of new ocean carriers to the terminal.

We are working closely with the terminal operator to minimize truck backups at its gates. Specifically:

  • Husky has started opening its gates one hour early at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Husky has committed to having Saturday gates for the month of May to better handle the increased volumes. At the end of the month, it will gauge the volumes and determine if there is a continued need for Saturday gates.
  • NWSA and Husky staff have communicated with truckers on the importance of using both truck queue lanes at the 11th Street entrance and will continue to remind them to do so.
  • NWSA staff is working with the City of Tacoma to adjust the timing of the stoplight at Port of Tacoma Road and 11th Street to allow more time for trucks to cross the intersection and enter the terminal.

What is the NWSA doing over the long term?

NWSA staff continue to encourage our tenants to consider a variety of options at their disposal including, but not limited to, extended gate hours, appointment systems and other operational tools.

Over the long term, the NWSA continues to explore opportunities for gate redesigns, expanded truck staging facilities and off-dock container yards that could help. These infrastructure investments are expensive and will take time to fund and develop.

Why is this happening?

Over the last several years, ocean carriers have formed alliances to better utilize their collective assets to manage costs in light of weak market conditions. In April, the members of these alliances reshuffled, creating three major alliances engaged in the trans-Pacific trade instead of the previous four.

The new alliance configurations mean changes at which terminals the different carriers and their alliances call. This also means corresponding changes in truck traffic at these various terminals.

These changes are particularly dramatic this year because of changes in the industry. Ten years ago, we may have seen only a single ocean carrier move between terminals at any given time, representing only 5 percent of the cargo volume. Five years ago, you may have seen an entire alliance shift, representing 25 percent of the cargo volume. Today, we are seeing a reshuffle of all of the alliances.

Who can I talk to?

Please continue to check the marine terminal websites directly for the latest information on hours and service conditions.

For more information on this situation in the South Harbor, please contact Tim Ebner, NWSA Operations Department, at 253-592-6719 or tebner@nwseaportalliance.com.

For more information on this situation in the North Harbor, please contact Steve Queen, NWSA Operations Department, at 253-888-4412 or squeen@nwseaportalliance.com.

Additional key contacts:

  • Tacoma Rail dispatch: 253-396-3161
  • Port of Tacoma Security hotline: 253-592-6789
  • Port of Seattle Police Department dispatch: 206-787-5401