The Port of Tacoma released its 2025 State of the Port video, showcasing the significant accomplishments and milestones achieved in 2024. In the video, Port leaders summarize efforts to drive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community engagement as guided by the Port's 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.
Achievements include major progress on the Port Maritime Center, a collaborative project with Tacoma Public Schools that will provide career and technical education for Pierce County high school students. The Port Maritime Center, right across from Downtown Tacoma on the Foss Waterway, includes a new Port business office that will create a new front door to the Port of Tacoma.
"We are committed to building a brighter future for all of Pierce County," said Port of Tacoma Commission President John McCarthy. "Our accomplishments in 2024 show how the vision set forth by the Port’s elected leaders is being implemented every day by our dedicated staff.”
In 2024, the Port made strides in economic vitality, with container volumes in the gateway managed by The Northwest Seaport Alliance growing by 12.3%. The Port also advanced planning for deepening the Blair Waterway to accommodate larger ships.
The Port of Tacoma’s environmental leadership accomplishments included expanding the electric vehicle fleet and switching large equipment to renewable diesel. The Port is committed to reaching net zero for greenhouse gas emissions under its direct control by 2040. The Port’s environmental team also made progress cleaning up legacy industrial contamination.
The Port’s demonstration of organizational success included hosting the largest regional response tabletop exercise in years to prepare for emergencies in the Tacoma Tideflats.
The Port of Tacoma’s transportation advocacy in 2024 included new support for the Washington State Department of Transportation’s State Route 167 Completion Project, which will greatly improve freight mobility and roadway connections.
The Port emphasized community connections, including supporting workforce development programs that open doors to family wage jobs for Pierce County residents. Port staff participated in numerous community events and hosted 17 free bus tours, a day of free summer boat tours, and a Touch-a-Truck event that drew more than two thousand people.
“The State of the Port is strong,” said Port of Tacoma Executive Director Eric Johnson. “We had a year of incredible accomplishment supporting a thriving working waterfront in Pierce County and we look forward to continued success throughout 2025.”
About the Port of Tacoma
Among the largest container ports in the U.S., the Port of Tacoma is a naturally deepwater port located on Commencement Bay in south Puget Sound. A diverse array of maritime and industrial-related businesses and facilities are located across 2,500 acres of Port-owned property, including several major container terminals, managed by The Northwest Seaport Alliance, where some of the world’s largest container shipping lines call. An important economic engine in Pierce County, real estate and marine cargo operations at the Port of Tacoma support more than 42,000 jobs and $3 billion in labor income.