Project Overview
On Feb. 5, 2019, the port commissions of Seattle and Tacoma discussed staff recommendations for significant new investments to grow international marine cargo in the Seattle Harbor, including a new tenant at Terminal 5 and more than $300 million in infrastructure improvements to the facility.
The introduction of ever-larger container vessels has triggered dramatic changes in container shipping in recent years. With the largest marine cargo vessels entering the trans-Pacific trade, our Terminal 5 investments are critical for Washington state exports to Asian markets, in addition to growing cargo volumes and maritime jobs in the Puget Sound region.
Terminal 5 in Seattle has long been considered a premier container cargo on the West Coast because of its naturally deep berth, wide footprint, and the availability of an on-dock rail yard, which allows containers to be directly loaded from the ship onto rail lines. The new ultra-large container ships, however, require larger, heavier cranes with a longer reach, which in turn requires strengthening the dock and upgrading utilities.
In addition to these infrastructure improvements, Seattle and Tacoma port commissioners have directed staff to bring forward environmental investments to enhance water and air quality for the community. They include updating stormwater treatment systems and installing shore power infrastructure that allows a vessel to plug into electricity while at berth, substantially reducing air emissions. The plan also includes technology improvements to manage truck flow around the terminal and a railroad “quiet zone” to reduce noise impacts for the surrounding community.
- Learn more about the Terminal 5 Improvements Project
Project History
- February 2019. On February 5, the NWSA's Managing Members were briefed on a proposed commercial deal and a detailed construction timeline to modernize the terminal. A vote to authorize staff to solicit bids for construction of the project passed on February 26 and a vote on the commercial leases is scheduled for April 2. For additional details, review the agendas, meeting materials, and video for the meetings.
- November 2018. Having secured all the necessary permits required for developing Terminal 5, the NWSA is planning for construction in its 2019 budget
- January 2018. The City of Seattle issued the shoreline permit for Terminal 5 improvements on January 23.
- April 2017. The City of Seattle published the Master Use Permit (MUP) Analysis and Decision with Draft Conditions for the Terminal 5 Improvements Project proposed by the Port of Seattle and the NWSA. Publication of the MUP Analysis and Decision is an important but routine step for large, public capital projects.
- October 2016. Port of Seattle releases the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Learn more about the environmental review at the online open house.
- May 2016. Port of Seattle releases the Draft Environmental Impact Statement available for review and comment.
- October 2015. Based on information from potential partners interested in the terminal, the NWSA and Port of Seattle determined additional environmental review is required.
- August 2015. Request for Information responses from potential tenants indicates that a long-term lease commitment would require the ability to handle more than 1 million TEUs, higher volumes than previously permitted. The NWSA continues to gather information about how a new tenant might operate the terminal, which will further inform the environmental review.
- May 2015. Commissioners reviewed scenarios for terminal improvements in the North and South harbors to enhance container trade through the Puget Sound gateway.
- March 2015. The Port of Seattle issued a SEPA notice of determination of non-significance for dock construction and a Request for Information (RFI) began the search for a new tenant. Both the RFI and SEPA notice indicated that further environmental review would be conducted if the proposed use changed significantly or volumes were expected to exceed the 650,000 TEUs in the existing EIS.
- July 2014. Container operations suspended at Terminal 5 to allow for the strategic investments necessary to handle two 18,000-TEU ships simultaneously.
- June 2014. Commissioners authorized planning and design work to modernize Terminal 5. The terminal can only handle ships with a maximum capacity of 6,000 TEUs.
- 1999. The Port of Seattle completed terminal cleanup, redevelopment, and enlargement to accommodate additional container services to meet demand.
