Past North Star Award Winners

Abercrombie & Fitch has grown its import volume at NWSA nearly tenfold, embracing use of both transload and IPI rail in our gateway. They also built a highly efficient peel-off model with SSA at Terminal 18. Their commitment to collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence has made the Seattle/Tacoma gateway a cornerstone of their national supply chain. You have set a high bar and truly embody the spirit of this award.

As the largest shipper of fresh potatoes through the NWSA gateway, Allied Potato plays a vital role supporting agricultural exports—an essential driver of cargo volume and economic growth for our gateway. Allied Potato grew their exports via the NWSA by 30% while expanding into new markets across Asia. They continue to support local jobs, clean energy, and actively partners with the NWSA to strengthen our gateway’s reach.

This award was presented to Yang Ming Line for the largest year-over-year increase in container volume in the Seattle-Tacoma gateway. Yang Ming Line's contributions exemplify the kind of partnership that powers our gateway’s success.

Harbor Freight Tools, a major importer in the United States, strategically chose the Puget Sound region for its new facility in Frederickson, WA. The region offers several advantages, including lower transportation costs from Seattle/Tacoma ports, easy accessibility, intermodal access to inland markets, competitive warehouse lease rates, a skilled workforce, and economic development opportunities. The 782,773-square-foot facility will create approximately 220 jobs, operating two shifts, five days a week. Harbor Freight is actively recruiting for these positions through local events and partnerships.

International Feed, a feed and food ingredients commodity trader with expertise in logistics, was recognized for their remarkable growth in exports via the Seattle-Tacoma gateway.  In 2023, International Feed managed to increase its volume nearly 200%.  This significant growth established its position as one of our Top 15 export customers, not to mention a spot among the JOC Top 100. The company's strategic focus on expanding sales to countries with direct NWSA services, coupled with the NWSA's enhanced reliability and efficiency, contributed to this achievement.

Ocean Network Express was recognized for handling the most container volume and experiencing the largest year-over-year volume increase of all ocean carriers calling at the Seattle-Tacoma gateway, demonstrating its commitment to operational excellence and growth. Ocean Network Express operates as part of THE Alliance group of carriers with regular weekly calls at Husky Terminal and Washington United Terminals in our Tacoma (South) Harbor.

Hyundai GLOVIS is an integrated logistics provider serving the Automotive, CPG and Industrial markets. 

GLOVIS America is the logistics provider for Hyundai and KIA automobiles. In 2022, GLOVIS selected The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) and Port of Tacoma as their gateway of choice in the Pacific Northwest, consolidating auto imports for both Hyundai and KIA brands in the Tacoma Harbor. With the addition of the Hyundai brand, automobile volume in the NWSA gateway has more than doubled. GLOVIS’ now accounts for over 60% of the gateway’s auto imports and contributes 205 direct jobs to the local economy and our communities. This was no small feat, requiring vision, hard work and the partnership of the Hyundai GLOVIS organization, our auto processors-Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions and Auto Warehousing Company, the Northwest Seaport Alliance and the Port of Tacoma to bring it to fruition. 

We appreciate our partnership with Hyundai GLOVIS and their contribution to moving more automobiles through our gateway.

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UWL | Swire Shipping are dedicated cargo transportation companies. 

UWL, in collaboration with Swire Shipping, pioneered the Sun Chief Express, a dedicated ocean service connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the Seattle Harbor. With a transit time of just 18 days, it sets NWSA apart as home to the fastest option available from Vietnam to the US today. Especially important for our WA exporters, they have enhanced the Sun Chief to offer premium refrigerated services for high-demand commodities including cherries, potatoes, and protein. In its first full year of operation in Seattle, the service has transported over 16,000 import loads and 1,500 export loads through the NWSA.

To complement the Sun Chief Express, UWL’s parent company, World Group, opened a new warehouse facility in Tacoma and acquired a drayage company to supply additional services for its customers. Combined, they now support over 100 full-time jobs in the Pacific Northwest, actively contributing to local economic growth.

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Honorable Mention: J.B. Hunt

The Cargo Anchor Award is presented to an organization whose activities have grown cargo volumes in the NWSA gateway, spurring economic growth for the region. In 2022, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Industrial Tacoma was chosen for the award based on their machine throughput increase of 25% from 2019-2021 and successfully attracted high and heavy (H&H) imports and exports to the NWSA gateway. In 2021, Wallenius Wilhelmsen group vessels called Tacoma 65 times and carried nearly 50% more H&H cargo than 2020. Wallenius Wilhelmsen Industrial Tacoma (WWIT) is a full-service Equipment Processing center located in Tacoma that handles a variety of heavy construction, logging and agricultural equipment.

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Honorable Mention: Pacific Terminal Services Company

The Cargo Anchor Award is presented to an organization whose activities have grown cargo volumes in the NWSA gateway, spurring economic growth for the region. In 2021, MacMillan-Piper was chosen for the award based on an expansion in the Tacoma harbor, coupled with the launch of a new logistics division that provides freight brokerage services throughout the United States. These efforts increased employment by more than 18% year over year, with MacMillan-Piper committing to continue to grow jobs, capacity, and revenue by more than 50% over the next five years. MacMillan-Piper is the largest transload and container freight station in the Pacific Northwest and a leader in national and international transportation services.    

Honorable Mention: Northland Services

Prologis received the 2019 Cargo Anchor Award, which recognizes businesses for activities that grow cargo volume in the NWSA gateway and drive economic activity for the Puget Sound region. The company was nominated for the Prologis Park Tacoma project, a 1.3-million-square-foot logistics park, and for the Prologis Georgetown Crossroads, a first-of-a-kind multi-story in-fill warehouse project near Seattle.

MSC was recognized for their efforts to reduce underwater noise important for the Puget Sound's Orca population and protecting biodiversity in the gateway. MSC has been a consistent leader in the Quiet Sound Voluntary Slowdown Program and has taken further initiative to exploring quieter vessel technologies, hosting global whale protection workshops, and conducting biodiversity assessments. Their efforts reflect a deep commitment to the marine environment and our gateway.

PetroCard, a pioneer in sustainable fuel solutions, has been at the forefront of providing access to cleaner fuels for commercial fleets.  Through partnerships and education with suppliers and early adopters, PetroCard has promoted renewable diesel as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Renewable diesel offers significant environmental benefits, including up to a 75% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. PetroCard is partnering with the Port of Tacoma to fuel port vehicles with renewable diesel.

Rail Management Services (RMS) is one of America’s largest intermodal terminal operators, with over three decades of experience focused on facilitating the railroad-motor carrier interface.

Rail Management Services (RMS) runs the Tacoma Harbor South Intermodal Yard. In 2022, RMS completed a project to deploy zero-emission cargo handling equipment – the first time this technology has been used in the Seattle-Tacoma gateway. RMS invested roughly $1.3 million of its own money, and with added support from the EPA and Tacoma Power, converted six Tier 3 diesel yard hostlers to electric. Today, all six Orange EV yard hostlers are in use.  CO2 emissions have been reduced by 628,874 pounds, and an estimated 4 million pounds of CO2 will be eliminated over the project's 12-year lifespan. This initiative aligns with Carrix's sustainability and decarbonization goals AND supports the NWSA’s Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. It is a splendid example of public-private partnerships in action to advance shared environmental ambitions.

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The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes businesses that support the continued health of the environment while promoting trade and economic development. In 2021, Campbell's Trucking was selected for their investment in 100% renewable LNG to power their trucking fleet.

Campbell’s Trucking has privately funded their fleet conversion of diesel to RLNG, doubling the number of LNG-powered trucks in the past year. The 100% renewable RLNG fleet has allowed Campbell’s Trucking to reduce their carbon footprint by approximately 85%. Owners Shannon and Johnnie Campbell aim to provide their Pacific Northwest customers with a carbon footprint conscious drayage option with the ultimate goal of creating a drayage community with zero emissions.

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The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes businesses that support the continued health of the environment while promoting trade and economic development. In 2021, SSA Marine was selected for a host of environmental programs that are reducing pollution here in the Puget Sound region.

By exchanging traditional light bulbs to LED, SSA Marine reduced their energy consumption by 1.2 kilowatt-hours. Their commuter benefits program incentivized 'greener' commuting options and 'last-mile' connections between transit services and SSA Marine headquarters, reducing CO2 emissions by 157 tons annually. SSA Marine also transitioned to compostable products at their Harbor Island corporate headquarters, removing 26 tons of waste from landfills each year. SSA Marine is an international Marine Terminal Operator (MTO) operating in the NWSA’s Seattle and Tacoma harbors.

Honorable Mention: African Chamber of Commerce

TOTE Maritime Alaska received the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award, which recognizes businesses that promote environmental sustainability and demonstrate a commitment to the natural environment. The U.S. domestic shipping company earned a nomination for its plans to convert its Orca Class vessels to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel.

Tri-Cities Intermodal was honored for their investment and strategic vision, culminating in a scalable inland rail facility in Wallula, WA that directly supports our gateway. Their Inland Port Staging initiative strengthened the connection between Eastern Washington and Puget Sound marine terminals — improving freight flow, reducing congestion, and delivering measurable results.

Agricultural exporters now benefit from more reliable access to empty containers, while importers enjoy greater delivery flexibility.

Mercer Logistics, a leading supply chain solutions provider, was recognized for its exceptional performance in handling cargo. As the region's only U.S. Customs Centralized Examination Station (CES) operator, Mercer has played a crucial role in facilitating smooth cargo movement through the Pacific Northwest. Mercer demonstrated its commitment to efficiency and customer service by expanding CES facilities, coordinating with CBP for expedited clearance, and implemented innovative solutions to manage detained containers. This dedication has been instrumental to supporting the region's trade and ensuring the timely and reliable movement of goods.