Posted on December 19, 2022
Thanks to the leadership of the Washington Congressional delegation, the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the U.S. Senate today, after passing the House last week. The bill contained several major policies that will benefit innovation, decarbonization, and habitat programs at both the ports of Seattle and Tacoma and throughout the Puget Sound. The legislation — which also included the annual Water Resources Development Act, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Reauthorization Act, and the U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization Act — now moves to the Senate for final passage next week; it is standard practice for these additional bills to be attached to “must-pass”, end of year legislation like the NDAA. It now awaits the President’s signature to become law.
“The Port of Seattle and The Northwest Seaport Alliance thank our state’s Congressional delegation for incorporating provisions in the NDAA that balance the needs of commerce, communities, climate and killer whales,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman. “These provisions include critical funding and collaboration to help ports decarbonize our operations with electricity and alternative fuels that reduce our impacts on the climate and near-port communities. It also increases the ability for ports to work with the Coast Guard and whale watching networks to reduce conflicts between ships and vulnerable whale species.”
The “Yang Ming Triumph” container ship arrives at the Port of Tacoma guided by multiple tug boats. When fully loaded, the ship has capacity to carry just over 12,700 TEUs.
“The NDAA legislation includes key provisions that support both environmental and operational activities at the Port of Tacoma and The Northwest Seaport Alliance,” stated Port of Tacoma Commission President and Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair Don Meyer. “The Tacoma harbor deepening included in the WRDA bill is a significant benefit for maritime trade in the Puget Sound and will ensure our ports remain competitive for years to come. We appreciate the good work of our Federal delegation in passing this legislation.”
About the Port of Tacoma
Among the largest container ports in North America, the Port of Tacoma is a naturally deepwater port located on Commencement Bay in south Puget Sound. A diverse array of maritime and industrial-related businesses and facilities are located across 2,500 acres of Port-owned property, including several major container terminals, managed by The Northwest Seaport Alliance, where some of the world’s largest container shipping lines call. An important economic engine in Pierce County, real estate and marine cargo operations at the Port of Tacoma support more than 42,000 jobs and $3 billion in labor income. Learn more on the Port of Tacoma website.
About the Port of Seattle
The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Fishermen’s Terminal — home of the North Pacific fishing fleet — and public marinas. The Port also owns two cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, real estate assets, and marine cargo terminals through its partnership in the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Port operations help support nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 15 years, the Port’s Century Agenda seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port. Learn more at the Port’s website.
