January 17, 2014 · Exit133

Ports of Tacoma & Seattle to Cooperate?

The ports of Tacoma and Seattle haven't exactly been BFFs historically, which is why we were surprised to hear that the two have agreed to share internal information with each other.

In a move aimed at improving the competitiveness of both, the two ports will share information on operations and financing, according to an article appearing from The News Tribune. The idea is that working together the two have a better chance of attracting new shipping traffic to the region as a whole.

It's not like the two entities have never cooperated before - they've worked together on lobbying efforts to benefit both - but this is taking cooperation - and trust - a step further. It's an acknowledgement of the growing competition from other West Coast ports, and of the changes in the industry expected to follow the impending completion of the Panama Canal.

To maintain a competitive position, the two ports will work together ...

The question of whether competition between Tacoma and Seattle is good or bad for both is about as old as the two cities themselves, going back to the days of the race to win the western terminus. That's a long history of rivalry. In 2012 we wrote about a Seattle Times article that took a look at the negative implications of competition versus collaboration between the two.

And now they're taking a step towards working together.

Can they overcome their long-standing rivalry to take on the competition from outside our region?

Filed under: Tacoma Business, Elsewhere, Port of Tacoma, Seattle

4 comments

George January 17, 2014

Do you mean, Ports of Tacoma & Seattle TOO Cooperate?
Xeno January 17, 2014

Well the Port of Seattle has become enemy to Seattle's sports team expansion. I listened to a recent report how most Seattle-ites have no identity with the port and see it as obstructing things like a new basketball stadium. Tacoma has no such problems, has better intermobility over Seattle, and if 167/509 ever get built can easily rival Seattle's port operations. Albeit that, I think it is smart to share information so that each respective port can steal contracts from the Port of Vancouver B.C. rather from each other. Perhaps a consortium of port authorities should be established on a wider scale for all of Washington's ports?
- NameSusanne Marten January 20, 2014
  
  [quote] Perhaps a consortium of port authorities should be established on a wider scale for all of Washington’s ports)? Agreed--good point! Check out the evolution of the Port of Rotterdam (now the fourth largest world port--maybe the fifth since Prince Rupert). Strategic collaboration is exactly how Rotterdam grew and became so successful. Another reason for collaboration includes the cost associated with environmental due diligence for Puget Sound waterways.
Jesse January 20, 2014

Is there a time in history when Tacoma and Seattle cooperated on a business venture that became mutually beneficial for both cities? If so, what was it? I am at a loss here. All I can think of is agreements where Tacoma shared info or resources but Seattle ended up with all the business. Prove me wrong??