The Port of Seattle Commission has passed its 2022 budget and 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan which puts an emphasis on delivering equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The commission aims to achieve this by safely operating its maritime gateways, as well as its airport, advancing capital improvement projects and continuing its focus on customer service and sustainability initiatives.
The new 2022 budget includes increases to expand port capacity and capital development, implement new customer service programs, and support economic development and sustainability initiatives.
The total capital budget for 2022 is $559.5 million and the five-year Capital Improvement Plan increases that to $4.4 billion.
Highlights from the Port of Seattle’s 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan include:
- SEA Main Terminal Improvements Program
- SEA C Concourse building expansion
- SEA South Satellite renovation program
- Terminal 46 North Pier structure replacement
- Terminal 91 Berths 6 & 8 redevelopment
- Pier 66 Shore Power
- Terminal 91 Uplands development
- Maritime Innovation Center at Fishermen’s Terminal
“By sustaining construction projects and community programs, the Port of Seattle was able to help the region weather the economic storm that persisted last year from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Fred Felleman, President of the Port of Seattle Commission.
“The port’s 2022 budget and construction projects will continue to focus on helping those most in need of economic benefit throughout our region. Our robust 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan seeks to improve customer service while expanding opportunities where they’re most needed.”
Steve Metruck, Executive Director for the Port of Seattle, added “Our budget and capital improvement plan reflect a rising recovery from increased activity. More than 80% of the port’s funds come from operating revenue and fees, which began to improve midway through last year.
“Despite some continued uncertainty, we are in a better position to begin investing in our capacity after two years of steep cuts and to look more expansively at opportunities we can support in the region.”
The Port of Seattle’s commitment to sustainability initiatives can also be seen in the recent news that studies exploring the use of clean hydrogen as a fuel to power medium-and-heavy-duty vehicles at the port are being conducted, led by a team from Seattle City Light, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Sandia National Laboratories.
Announced in November 2021, the efforts are supported by two awards from the US Department of Energy (DOE) totalling $2.12 million to help meet emission reduction goals set by Seattle City Light and the Port of Seattle.
