Seattle, Tacoma Ports are the Green Gateway for Trade

Carbon footprint for Asian cargo lower even than all-water routes

The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma today announced the results of a groundbreaking study that quantifies the carbon footprint of containers coming through the Puget Sound. The lowest emission route to ship cargo from Asia to the U.S. Midwest is through the Puget Sound – the “Green Gateway” for trade.

“The carbon study results are good news, and a great boost to our efforts to measure and reduce our environmental impact,” said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani. “Our ongoing sustainability initiatives have created a ‘Green Gateway’ that is good for our environment and our customers.”

“We are proud of our many port customers and tenants who have joined us to deliver a cleaner, healthier environment while contributing valuable jobs and goods to our state’s economy,” said Port of Tacoma Executive Director Tim Farrell. “They help us demonstrate that businesses can do well by doing good.”

The study, commissioned by the Port of Seattle, was conducted by Herbert Engineering, a ship design, engineering and transportation consulting firm based in California. They analyzed carbon footprints of trade routes between Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, and the U.S. distribution hubs of Chicago, Columbus and Memphis as well as routes that use US East and Gulf Coast ports via the Panama and Suez canals.

For ports of origin as far south as Singapore, carbon emissions for cargo moving by ship to the Pacific Northwest and by rail to a broad swath of the United States are lower than on routes through the Panama Canal, Norfolk, New York and California.

Prior to its release, the Port of Seattle had Herbert Engineering’s study independently reviewed, and also asked trade experts, customers, and shipping partners to review the results. Outdoor gear and apparel retailer Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) noted the Port of Seattle’s leadership in commissioning the study. “REI applauds the efforts of the Port of Seattle in undertaking this kind of study to better inform shippers about the carbon implications of their transportation options,” said Rick Bingle, Director of Global Supply Chain for the Seattle-based company.

Greg Shelton, Managing Director of the Global Trade, Transport, and Logistics Studies program at the University of Washington, noted that within the study’s assumptions, the findings are good news for the Puget Sound. “I feel that the study shows that the West Coast and especially the Northwest region have a lower carbon footprint for transporting goods between Asia and consumers in the heart of the U.S.,” Shelton remarked.

The elected commissions of the two ports have championed the efforts to quantify the agencies’ environmental impact, lessen their footprint, and improve their competitive position. The carbon study follows on the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory, a groundbreaking study measuring how port activities affect regional air quality, and the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy.

About the Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle operates several major facilities in King County, supporting nearly 200,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region and generate more than $17 billion in business revenue and $867 million in state and local taxes annually. Port facilities include the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, serving millions of passengers annually, and a seaport that supports a thriving cruise industry, commercial and recreational marinas, and three container terminals. The Port is also the proud home of Fishermen’s Terminal. Committed to environmental leadership, the Port has implemented sustainable business practices in each of its divisions.

About the Port of Tacoma

The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for south Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state connected to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America, handling more than $36 billion in annual trade and almost 2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units). The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks.