Terminal 5 tenant announcement ‘soon’: That’s the word as ports go public with economic-impact report

(WSB photo: Commissioners Clare Petrich and Fred Felleman at Terminal 18 media briefing)

12:20 PM: Four and a half years after Terminal 5‘s last major tenant left, we’re still waiting to hear word of a new tenant. Last fall, the projection was that there’d be an announcement before year’s end. Now, one month into the new year, the new estimate is “soon” – as in, before the end of the first quarter. So said Clare Petrich, Tacoma Port Commissioner speaking on behalf of the Northwest Seaport Alliance partnership, as NWSA released a new report about the value of the maritime business to our state. Plans for upgrading T-5 have been awaiting news of a tenant. Among the other speakers at the report’s unveiling was Seattle Port Commissioner Fred Felleman, who declared the report to be evidence of a “renaissance” in the maritime business. He, Petrich, Dan McKisson from the ILWU, and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (who toured a dock crane first) all spoke during today’s announcement at Terminal 18 on Harbor Island. We’ll add video when it’s ready, and a few more details from the report later; you can see the report in its entirety here (PDF).

(Added: Photo courtesy NWSA)

4:05 PM: Here’s our video:

The report focuses very specifically on the impact of cargo shipping. Petrich noted that 90 percent of the world’s trade is done by water. One of the notable breakout charts in the report:

Here’s the NWSA news release with other highlights.

Question Authority January 28, 2019 (6:04 pm)

It’s certainly a double edged sword with jobs created and taxes collected, but the truck traffic will be more horrendous than it is now.

Fred Felleman January 28, 2019 (10:34 pm)

The Port of Seattle and Alliance are keenly aware of our responsibility to minimize our impacts on the surrounding communities. Regarding trucks, all those calling on the international terminals are 2007 or newer, making them 90% cleaner than earlier models. We are also extending gate hours so that truck movements don’t have to be compressed during narrow times of the day. We have also deployed a technology that enables trucks to have appointments to drop and pick containers. The Port has also invested $400 million in roadway improvements to reduce congestion through the region. These measure not only reduce community impacts but also help drivers who only get paid per container they move. Finally, T-5 has highly efficient on dock rail. T-18 is similarly equipped, but to a lesser degree. Our goal is to be a good neighbor while supporting an inclusive economy. Please let us know if you have ideas how we can make further improvements.

Bronson January 29, 2019 (9:04 am)

I appreciate the information provided here, but what about the incessant train noise? Will there be a FRA Quiet Zone with the necessary crossing improvements? Will the Port require (not just make available) that ships use power from the port itself, as opposed to running the ships and pouring pollution into the air, affecting the neighborhoods close by?
- Jim January 29, 2019 (11:15 am)
  
  Yes, a Quiet Zone is on the way thanks to Commissioner Felleman and Councilmember Herbold. But the larger Port of Seattle/NWSA has so far refused to require the use of Shore Power at the new Terminal 5. They only want it to be available, at the ship’s discretion. That pollution from docked ships will not only impact close-by neighborhoods, it well drift over the rest of the city. A city that already has an air quality problem on calm days. Don’t let the PoS compromise your health. Require Shore Power!
  - DO January 29, 2019 (12:05 pm)
    
    I went past the port recently and I couldn’t breathe from all the exhaust fumes. I hope they require using shore power with it being available. Or charge a fossil fuel emissions tax per minute on idling at the port.
WSEA Advocates January 29, 2019 (11:04 am)

It is crucial to also mitigate locomotive pollution (noise and exhaust) in addition to forcing ships to use shore power and running newer and lower emission vehicles. Technologies exist to avoid idling/rumbling locomotives for extended periods, especially at the wait station to the south of T-5. Train horns are another issue, and it is crucial that the Port implement and maintain its plans and commitments to eliminate pollution (exhaust and noise) associated with T-5.
KM January 29, 2019 (12:07 pm)

REQUIRE Dock Power.

bolo January 28, 2019 (11:05 pm)

“Please let us know if you have ideas how we can make further improvements.”

For docked vessels, require use of (cleaner) dock power instead of (more polluting) on board generators.

Salal January 29, 2019 (7:28 am)

I think steps should be taken to get rid of all that train noise in the intersection under the bridge. Separate the tracks from the road somehow so the trains don’t blow those loud horns at 3am like they do now 24/7. I only imagine the trains willl increase a lot when that opens.

BG January 29, 2019 (7:49 am)

Hopefully this will be the end of the delusional comments suggesting that T-5 be turned into a derelict RV park!

SDC January 31, 2019 (9:43 am)

Delusion how? Unused space with significant infrastructure including plumbing, electricity, I am going assume facilities including kitchens etc, in an area with good access. Easy to secure to improve safety of residents. I’m not sure delusional is the right word, when this idea is superior to most that have either been floated or implemented.

Monica Riva January 29, 2019 (4:44 pm)

PORT OF SEATTLE AND NWSA,PLEASE REQUIRE THAT VESSELS USE SHORE POWER WHEN DOCKED.THANK YOU!

Maxine January 29, 2019 (4:50 pm)

Please REQUIRE that docked vessels use dock power. Thank you!

wetone January 29, 2019 (5:19 pm)

And people think traffics bad now trying to get out to I-5 and between ……….

Henry January 29, 2019 (7:03 pm)

What nobody has really looked at mitigating is the low frequency vibration of large container ships at night that penetrate the houses up to a mile away. There aren’t any public officials to measure the sound generated from these massive ships at night but right now it’s like sleeping next to an idling truck when a single ship turns on its diesel generators at night. Imagine the numbing sound when two super container ships are docked at T5.

Jim January 30, 2019 (12:23 pm)

Exactly, excess noise is also pollution. LFV is almost impossible to insulate against.Shore Power is a twofer, eliminates both air and noise pollution.

dsa January 29, 2019 (10:53 pm)

Out of curiosity, how much power in terms of households does a container ship use when it is consuming shore power?

Gorillita January 30, 2019 (8:36 am)

Yes, use shore power. But I love the trains whistles. I am from a train family and find comfort in far-off train whistles in the middle of the night. I keep windows open in winter so I can hear them.

Jim January 30, 2019 (12:19 pm)

Everybody loves the train whistles when they are “far-off.” Nearby, not so much.But we can all agree that breathing diesel exhaust is not good whether from nearby or far-off.

anonyme January 31, 2019 (6:48 am)

This will be an environmental and logistical nightmare. Such plans are always sold as job and revenue-producing, but the number of jobs, as well as the taxes/fees collected, will enrich a few – but not the majority of Seattle residents and certainly not nearby neighbors. Where is the evidence of this “renaissance”, or is it, as I suspect, mere self-serving speculation? As if MaxCon weren’t bad enough, here is yet another plan to choke off West Seattle. And if whale-watching boats are to be restricted due to the negative impact on killer whales, wth kind of impact will a constant caravan of loud, oil slick producing, pollution-belching monster ships have on this endangered population? Shore power is a no-brainer, but only a part of yet another looming disaster for our area.

SUDS January 31, 2019 (10:51 am)

But where will you get your appliances and personal gadgets that you use? They have to get here somehow. I guess the Port of Long Beach is A-OK since it’s not here?

Sorry, comment time is over.