Matson to partner with SSA Terminals in Tacoma

Matson Navigation Company will begin using SSA Terminals for stevedoring and terminal services at the Port of Tacoma after its agreement with APMT expires on Dec. 31, 2017.    Matson Navigation Company, a subsidiary of Matson Inc., will partner with SSA Terminals (SSAT) for stevedoring and terminal services at the Port of Tacoma.
   Matson currently uses APMT at the Pacific Northwest port, but the agreement will expire Dec. 31, 2017.
   Tacoma is the only Matson terminal on the U.S. West Coast not handled by SSAT, Matson said.
   “APMT has served us well. It just makes more sense to work with our strategic partner at Tacoma as we do at all of our other terminals on the West Coast,” said Ron Forest, senior vice president – operations for Matson. “We expect a seamless transition and no change in our Tacoma operations from a customer standpoint.”
   As a result, APMT may cease operations after this year due to the expiration of Matson’s contract. “The terminal, with 12 employees, became part of the Maersk Group portfolio with the acquisition of U.S.-based Sea-Land Service by Maersk Line in 2000,” APMT said. “The 600,000-TEU annual throughput capacity facility was used primarily by the Matson Alaska Service, with twice-weekly sailings between Tacoma, Anchorage and Kodiak, and a weekly service between Tacoma and Dutch Harbor, handling approximately 190,000 TEUs in 2016.”
   APMT North America President Wim Lagaay said, “We are proud of the service we have been able to provide to the Port of Tacoma and the Seaport Alliance, and of the recognition APM Terminals Tacoma has consistently received by the Pacific Maritime Association for Safety Performance.”