Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) and the Puyallup Tribe have joined forces to expand the region’s shipping capacity through construction of a new berth on the East Blair Waterway.
Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Puyallup Tribe and the NWSA intend to construct a new pier adjacent to one on the East Blair Waterway and to jointly market and operate both facilities. The NWSA is a marine cargo operating partnership of the port of Seattle and port of Tacoma and is the seventh-largest gateway in North America. The new pier has the working name Puyallup Tribal Terminal.
A new pier could be built on approximately 22 acres (8.9 ha) of tribal property adjacent to the existing East Blair Terminal 1 (EB1). The EB1 terminal is operated by NWSA and receives ro-ro and breakbulk cargo. Primary imports to EB1 are automobiles and heavy equipment. The new pier will feature comparable capabilities to the existing pier including on dock rail and featuring carbon reduction technology.
The port of Tacoma is working with the tribe on advance preparations needed in the Blair Waterway to allow for the development of the new facility. The port has invested in conceptual design work, waterway depth analysis, and ship simulation to ensure future plans for cutback and dredging work will provide unimpeded vessel navigation to the piers. The port will continue to work alongside the US Army Corps of Engineers and Puyallup Tribe, to finalise the design, permitting and construction processes.
Puyallup Tribe will fund, construct, and own Puyallup Tribal Terminal and associated acreage to include all maintenance, repair and replacement of facilities. NWSA will continue to be responsible for cargo activities at EB1.
