PORT UPDATES
...the Port of San Diego has demonstrated how strategic maritime operations, environmental stewardship, and urban revitalization can coexist...
Twin gateways, one vision: How the Port of Seattle is advancing trade and sus- tainability Commissioner Fred Felleman of the Port of Seattle described his port as “unique in a couple of ways”— and with good reason. The Port operates both a major international airport and a diversified seaport portfolio that includes cruise terminals, commercial real estate, and five recreational mar- inas. Yet its most distinctive feature is its joint operating agreement with the Port of Tacoma through the Northwest Seaport Alliance, which manages most of the region’s container business and handles roughly three million TEUs annually albeit seeing a decrease this year. Felleman gave special recognition to Matson for being a long-term ten- ant and serving Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska. He was hopeful that the future would see an expansion of operations from The Pasha Group, noting that Seattle provides LNG bunkering for TOTE Maritime and could accommo- date Pasha’s LNG-powered vessels. The Port is exploring renewable natural gas
(RNG) as a near-term decarbonization pathway. Touching on sustainability efforts, Felleman reported that the Port is pursuing green corridors, both with a Tacoma-to-Korea route as well as with Alaska. Another part of their sustain- ability strategy includes a policy that, by 2027, all cruise ships visiting Seattle will be shore-power capable. With all three of Seattle’s cruise terminals are already fitted with shore power, Felleman felt the landmark policy aimed at cutting at-berth emissions would be met. Regarding the cruise sector, Felleman said the Port welcomed approximately 1.9 million revenue passengers (about 900,000 individual travelers) with 298 cruise calls, with lines including MSC Cruises and Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth scheduled for the upcoming season. Before wrapping up his report, Felleman noted that the Port is
investing in workforce development through a new Maritime Innovation Center designed to inspire future maritime professionals. In addi- tion, through the Northwest Seaport Alliance, a landmark partnership with the Puyallup Indian Tribe will result in a doubling of berth capacity through construction of a new berth on the East Blair Waterway, under- scoring a collaborative approach to economic growth and environmental leadership. Building bigger: Port of Skagit expands to launch next-generation ferries Commissioner Melanie Mankamyer provided an update for the Port of Skagit, located just north of Seattle in the heart of farm country. Leveraging its unique geography and diverse assets to drive innovation and growth for the community, the Port blends its agri- cultural surroundings with multiple
Dan Malcolm, Port of San Diego
Fred Felleman, Port of Seattle
Melanie Mankamyer, Port of Skagit
March 2026 — PACIFIC PORTS — 35
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