NWSA continuing extended gates pilot through peak season

Under the program, the Northwest Seaport Alliance will reimburse marine terminal operators up to $2 million for some of the costs to operate additional hours during off-shift gate hours – i.e. after 5 p.m. on weekdays, or any shift on Saturday or Sunday.    The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), the marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, plans to extend gate hours at its seven international container terminals during peak season this summer, NWSA said in a statement Tuesday.
   The alliance said under the pilot program, it will reimburse marine terminal operators up to $2 million for some of the costs to operate additional hours during off-shift gate hours – i.e. after 5 p.m. on weekdays, or any shift on Saturday or Sunday.
   This year’s extended gate hours pilot program follows a similar one from last year’s peak season, during which international container terminal operators added about 70 to 90 hours per week, which accounted for about 8 to 10 percent of total Seattle-Tacoma gate volumes.
   The program is designed to help the marine terminal operators avoid congestion on surface streets in the port industrial area and keep import and export cargo flowing efficiently. By using the extended gate hours, truck drivers can reduce the time spent in traffic, which helps reduce air emissions from idling and saves fuel.
   2017’s 12-week version of the extended gate hours program is scheduled to kick off the week of Aug. 12 and last through the peak season. The extended hours are set for Terminal 18, Terminal 30, Terminal 46, Husky Terminal, East Sitcum Terminal, Pierce County Terminal and Washington County Terminal.