Port of Seattle Commissioners have approved the 2021 budget and five-year $3.7 billion capital improvement plan to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the first phase of an upgraded terminal ready to receive larger ships.
The new big-ship ready terminal will stand out as one of the premier international maritime shipping container terminals on the West Coast, anchoring maritime jobs and global shipping in our community for decades to come, according to the Port.
It said the annual budget prepares the Port for a “transformative year in 2021”, as it upgrades infrastructure across all parts of its operations, including cold ironing and electrification technology. The terminal will be funded jointly by the Port of Tacoma as part of the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
“Sticking to our core mission is the best way the Port can respond to the COVID-19 crisis and build an equitable recovery,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Peter Steinbrueck.
“This budget invests in the most fundamental lines of business at the Port, work that no other government in the region is set up to do, to help our community survive this crisis and thrive in the coming recovery.”
“Even as we manage the uncertainty of COVID, we are steering our way towards a positive and transformative year,” said Executive Director Steve Metruck. “Tough economic times forced us to focus our investments to deliver the greatest impact. We will come out of this pandemic stronger, more resilient, and more aware of how we can address inequity in our region.”
The annual budget prioritizes investments that create jobs and drive economic activity, as well as strategies to stop the spread of COVID at the Port’s critical trade and travel facilities.
Sustainability projects that restore habitat and reduce carbon are key investments, as they generate both jobs and economic activity, as well as long-lasting community benefits.
