NWSA aims to improve gateway efficiency
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is launching a Gate Efficiency Program to expand gate hours at international container terminals during peak season this year and next, the company said in its release.
With terminal congestion a top concern throughout the industry, and volumes growing across the NWSA gateway, the program is designed to help marine terminal operators extend gate hours to avoid backups and bottlenecks both on- and off-terminal.
The Managing Members authorized the NWSA to reimburse up to $2 million to fund the incentive-base program at their June 4 meeting. The program goes into effect July 1, 2019 and runs through Dec. 31, 2020. It offers three options for participation by international marine terminal operators in Seattle and Tacoma. The terminal operators will be reimbursed based on the number of weekly off-hour gates offered during the 18-month period.
SSA Terminals, operating Terminal 18 in the North Harbor, is the first to adopt extended gates and will do so initially with the Gate Efficiency Program incentive.
Starting Aug. 5, 2019, an extended gate fee of $38 per export laden container that loads to a vessel will be assessed to the BCO or trucking company, regardless of when the container arrives, day shift or night shift. This will allow the terminal to operate extended gates on a permanent basis, increasing its cargo handling capacity while reducing turn times, and by extension, truck emissions.
About The Northwest Seaport Alliance
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Combined, the ports are the fourth-largest container gateway in North America. Regional marine cargo facilities also are a major center for bulk, breakbulk, project/heavy-lift cargoes, automobiles and trucks.
