Pacific NW Trade eNews

Vol. 4, Issue 3

A Year Like No Other

Trade & logistics this past year was unprecedented in many ways.

Here's a look back and a look ahead from global to local

Pandemic + Stimulus+ Demand --> Delays

Supply chains were strained from supply-side issues such as semiconductor scarcity and port backlogs. Trade credit insurer Euler Hermes reports that these disruptions will continue into the second half of this year.

Despite 2021 disruptions, however, UNCTAD tracked a strong recovery in global trade last year due to strong demand, stimulus packages and higher prices.

The WTO puts trade growth worldwide at almost 11%, but projects a leveling off at about 4.7% next year and notes that lesser developed countries are not

NWSA traffic surge --> new capacity this month!

sharing in this growth.

Regionally, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) had a sizable increase in container traffic with a year-to-date volume increase of 15.4% over 2020 through November.

Moreover, with completion of Phase 1 of its modernization, Terminal 5 in Seattle re-opened this past Friday.

This will allow for the handling of the largest vessels in the transpacific trade (see above illustration) and substantially increase NWSA container-handling capacity.

What's New in '22 at the

World Trade Center Tacoma?

Passing of the Baton:

We start the year by welcoming a new slate of Executive Committee officers. They are as follows:

Chair: David Graybill, former President & CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Vice Chair: Kathy Peterman, Sr Vice President and Manager, Columbia Bank
Secretary: Larry Kvidera, Sr Manager, Marketing & Business Services, Northwest Seaport Alliance
Treasurer: Carol Bua, Communications Director, Port of Tacoma

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude for many years of outstanding service to officers retiring from the WTC leadership including Chair Dale King, Superintendent of Tacoma Rail, Vice Chair Evette Mason, Government Affairs Manager, Port of Tacoma (retired), and Tom Pierson, President and CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. Under their steady oversight, we have made tremendous progress in our financial standing while continuing to make a substantial contribution to the trade community. We wish them all the best as they move on to new endeavors in 2022.

Upcoming Events and Activities

This year we will start the year off on February 14 with our second virtual trade mission. This time with Chongqing, China (pop. 31

million). Our partner organizations will be the North America China Council and the Chongqing Chamber of International Commerce. If you have product that you would like to feature at the event, please contact Mike Fowler before January 20.

In March, we are planning to support The Northwest Seaport Alliance with another Emerging Markets program highlighting the characteristics and capabilities of the Alliance for forwarders, carriers, and others involved in the transportation and logistics sector in Thailand. Contact us for more information.

Please stay tuned to our events page for details on an anticipated high-level delegation from Vietnam as well as a training program for regional companies interested in accessing that market.

The WTC Tacoma is partnering with the UWT Milgard School of Business in co-promoting the EMP.

Next Session: January 20 - March 24, 2022

Thursdays 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Click here for more details. Use discount code WTCWA50 when registering to get $50 off the already-discounted price.

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