Port of Seattle’s Terminal 46 opens for auto and breakbulk cargo

Terminal 46 at the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA) Port of Seattle launched regular auto and breakbulk cargo service with the arrival of the Triumph Ace car carrier on March 27th.

Situated within Seattle Harbor, Terminal 46 encompasses over 42 acres of cargo lay-down space.

Pacific Terminal Services Company (PTSC), in collaboration with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 19, will oversee cargo operations, unloading vessels at berth adjacent to the terminal.

“We are excited to open Terminal 46 for regular service,” said Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle Commission President and The Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair.

“The Northwest Seaport Alliance is committed to cargo operations, which are a crucial element of a working waterfront that supports tens of thousands of regional jobs. We appreciate our partners at PTSC and the ILWU Local 19 for supporting shippers in moving automobiles, construction machinery, and other heavy-haul equipment across the Pacific Northwest.”

“Breakbulk and automobile volumes in the NWSA gateway have increased significantly over the past few years,” said Kristin Ang, Port of Tacoma Commission President and The Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair.

“The opening of Terminal 46 for breakbulk and auto cargo will further expand this line of business for the NWSA, increasing job opportunities on our maritime facilities and supporting businesses and workers across the Puget Sound.”

Terminal 46 is poised to handle increased cargo bound for the United States and Canada, having played a critical role in meeting various cargo demands throughout the gateway in recent years. In response to surges in containerized cargo post-pandemic, Terminal 46 transformed into a vital near-dock storage facility, facilitating the movement of containerized cargo.

Separately, the Northwest Seaport Alliance announced the commissioning of its fully modernized second berth of the Terminal 5 in the Port of Seattle.

Key features of the Terminal 5 renovations include two reconfigured berths with six state-of-the-art super-post Panamax cranes to enhance operational efficiency. On-dock rail facilities, along with additional refrigerated plug-ins.