Terminal 5 in final stages of commissioning, says NWSA

Phase Two of the Terminal 5 Modernization project at the Port of Seattle is approaching its final stages of commissioning, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) said.

The modenrization process was launched in July 2019 as part of the port‘s endeavors to build up the terminal’s capacity to handle containerships of up to 18,000 TEU.

The Terminal 5 Modernization Project has been propelled by a joint investment exceeding half a billion dollars from NWSA, SSA Terminals (Seattle Terminals), LLC, and its partners.

In June 2021, SSA Terminals and the NWSA welcomed the largest cranes in the world to Terminal 5 and commissioned for use. Each crane stands 316 feet tall with a 240-foot outreach boom and can lift 65 tons providing increased capacity.

Operations at the north berth of Terminal 5 commenced in January 2022 as part of the first phase of commissioning. The terminal renovations included two reconfigured berths to support larger cranes, on-dock rail, 1,500 refrigerated plug-ins, and shore power capability.

Phase Two of the modernization is underway, with operations at the south berth expected to start shortly.

In April 2023, Terminal 5 welcomed MSC Brunella as the first vessel to plug into the terminal’s new shore power infrastructure. As the first international container terminal in the NWSA gateway with shore power capability, MSC Brunella used clean energy from the City of Seattle’s electrical grid while at berth. Shore power installation is a key component of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, which aims to install shore power infrastructure on all international container terminals by 2030.

At full completion, Terminal 5 will boast 185-acres of additional capacity. Beyond import cargo, the opening of Terminal 5 is expected to also help increase opportunities for agriculture exporters from the mid-west and eastern Washington to move their goods to overseas markets.