February 5 – Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani addressed port directors from across the nation at a “ports summit” held in San Diego at the end of last week.  U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the meeting, marking the first time someone in that post has met jointly with the leaders of the country’s major seaports.  Joining Yoshitani were his colleagues from the other major West Coast ports.  The six port directors are working together to market the West Coast as the best gateway for trade.
 
Yoshitani participated in a panel discussion on the urgent need to invest in port and transportation infrastructure, noting that ports must be able to operate safely and efficiently in order to compete for cargo and the jobs that cargo creates.

“Ports are the country’s solid economic engines, creating jobs and prosperity for communities they serve,” Yoshitani said.  “For us to keep our ports competitive and exports moving to markets across the globe, we must invest our resources in the harbors, roads, and rails that move goods efficiently.”Yoshitani went on to note that moving goods efficiently is also good for the environment.  “Sustainable business practices are good business practices, and vice versa.  We’re investing in the facilities that will serve ports for decades to come; let’s invest in sustainable solutions that protect our air and harbors.”