Ports America has announced that is continuing its business growth strategy to increase its West Coast presence through additional investments, services and expansion of its terminal capacity.
The latest transaction includes a significant expansion and 20-year lease extension of the Husky Terminal in Tacoma, Wash.
This follows recent news that Ports America were looking to increase investments in a number of US West Coast ports.
International Transportation Service, Inc. (ITS), a joint venture between Ports America and K-Line, negotiated an extension of its Husky lease with the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) through 2046.
Ports America is an equity holder and service provider to Husky Terminal and included in the lease extension is a planned expansion project of more than US$141 million, approved by the NWSA, which will enhance the terminal’s capacity and is expected to be completed by July, 2018.
Technical Paper by Peter Ford of Ports America: How to Handle Mega-Ships
Husky Terminal’s extensive enhancements will provide the terminal with approximately 42ha of leased and preferential berthing area in this major gate port in the US Pacific Northwest.
NWSA has also agreed to order four of the largest, most modern gantry cranes and to complete yard and gate improvements. Upon completion, the newly-designed Husky Terminal will be capable of simultaneously accommodating two 18,000-TEU mega-container vessels.
Ports America is a 30% owner of ITS, with the remaining interest owned by “K” Line. ITS has been operating container terminals for 40 years in the ports of Long Beach and Tacoma, providing services to major shipping lines including K-Line.
Fact File: Ports America is the largest independent marine terminal operator and stevedore company in the US. The company currently operates in more than 42 ports and 80 locations. Ports America handles all types of cargo, including container, bulk, breakbulk, automotive, project, military and cruise, typically handling 13.4 million TEU annually.
