Record volumes, capital spending for Tacoma in 2003

Record volumes, capital spending for Tacoma in 2003    The port of Tacoma, Wash. records in 2003 with a surge in volumes and capital investments of $106 million.
   Container cargo throughput rose 18 percent to 1.74 million TEUs last year, while the number of intermodal lifts grew 29 percent to 468,613.
   Total tonnage was up 21 percent at 17.44 million short tons.
   Tacoma said the record volumes in 2003 can partly be attributed to a stronger-than-anticipated rebound in the national economy.
   “All our major international trading partners experienced strong growth,” said Andrea Riniker, port of Tacoma executive director. The port also said it had the capacity to accommodate this surge in volume.
   In addition to its international trade, Tacoma handles 70 percent of U.S. mainland trade with Alaska.
   In 2003, the port of Tacoma invested a record $106 million in construction and environmental projects, as part of a five-year $321-million capital improvement program. Construction of the new $210-million Evergreen terminal started in August.
   The port has budgeted a capital expenditure of $195 million for this year.