Seaport Alliance: What They Are Saying

"Ensuring the continued competitiveness of the seaports ofthe Ports of Seattle and Tacoma is a top
priority as we look for ways to enhance job creation and spur economic growth here in Washington
State, and I'm pleased that today's announcement wili make an important contribution to this effort."

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
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"I applaud the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma for working together on a strong partnership for economic
development," Cantweil said. "Washington State's ports are hubs forjobs and economic growth. This
decision is important for keeping the Puget Sound as a competitive environment for jobs and economic
development."

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell {D-WA)
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"I appiaud the announcement that the POrt of-Seattle and the Port of Tacoma wiil work even closer
together in the Seaport Ailiance. With increasing glojbai competition, itjust makes sense for both major
container ports in Puget Sound to work together. Port competitiveness is an issue i have been working
on since the 19705 and i look forward to this mutually-beneficiai partnership. When we work together,
there are pubiic benefits. The next step is to reform the Harbor Maintenance Tax to provide the tools
to be competitive with our neighbors to the north."

Congressman Jim McDermott
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"The ports of Seattle and Tacoma are taking an important step towards a collaborative, regionai
operating model. As their recently released joint economic impact study shows, these two ports are
major drivers of our economy. Their activities benefit their local economies and support trade
throughout the state, from advanced manufacturing to agriculture. Whiie details of the joint Operating
model for their marine cargo terminals are stili to be worked out, I am encouraged that the ports share
the goal of managing their cargo facilities in the best interest of the region and the state as a whole.
The Seaport Alliance is a laudable example of how competitors can come together to act in the larger
,
public interest."
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GovernorkJ'ay lnslee
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"This is great news for the Central Puget Sound region, and the 48,000 jobs supported by marine cargo
operations at both ports. Combining the strengths of two outstanding ports will make our gateway
stronger and more competitive with other West Coast ports.

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"This is a bold move, a win for each community and a boost to our entire state's international
competitiveness.

"i've long urged these port leaders to find a collaborative solution and I congratulate both port
commissions on their leadership."

Former Governor Christine Gregoire
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"This is a very positive step. The two ports found themselves in a position that Wasn't sustainable. I
think the solution they've crafted is commendable. This puts a sharp focus on the need for the state to
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come up with a plan to invest in infrastructure."

Eric Johnson, Executive DireCtor,-Washington Public Ports Assdciation
Hui:

"The Washington Council on International Trade commends the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma for
their collaboration and leadership in forming a Seaport Alliance. With growing competition from
Canadian ports and increasing pressures from a rapidly changing shipping industry, it is critical that our
state's two largest container ports work together to strengthen our region's maritime gateway.

"You have shown vision, courage and creativity. You've shown tremendous leadership. We feel a
strong sense of responsibility for helping you make this successful."

Eric Schinfeld, President, Washington Council on International Trade
.
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"Congratulations to the leadership of Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma on their proposed joint
operations agreement for marine cargo. Working together, the two Ports will become the third largest
container shipping port in North America. The alliance represents true regional leadership."

Josh Brown, Executive Director, Puget Sound Regional Council
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"Cooperative economic development is the best way to produce a more prosperous and successful
Puget Sound region, and l welcome this unprecedented agreement between the state's two largest
container ports." '
Dow Constantine, King County Executive
*3: *

"The ports of Tacoma and Seattle are key drivers for our local and regional economies, and they face
intense competition from other North American ports. Our regional success is contingent upon thriving
ports  both of them. l'm cautiously optimistic that this alliance will be a step toward improved

economic prosperity for the region, though I am highly interested in the details that remain to be
worked out." -

Pat McCarthy, Pierce County Executive
aura:

"We see the Alliance as a significant and advantageous step forward. We all know the NW is in
competition for scarce federal resources for dredging and port infrastructure. The Alliance should give
both ports a stronger voice in this arena.

Collaborative management of the terminals in both ports should be able to alleviate some of the
congestion we're now experiencing. in recent years rather than relieve congestion, we've managed to
move the congestion from one waterway/terminal to another. if cargo can't move out of the terminal
and port in a timely manner, and ship movements are delayed due to waterway congestion our
regional competitiveness is harmed. As the Alliance moves forward to reach its goals hopefully this
situation will be successfully addressed."

Capt. Jonathan Ward, President, Puget Sound Pilots

"I fully support the efforts of the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma to improve cooperation. A clear strategy
to improve the Pacific Northwest gateway should help align various levels of government to pull in the

same direction including funding for transportation improvements in our region, such as State Routes
167 and 509, two incomplete freight routes that hamper port truck traffic. A fully coordinated effort
and prioritized investments are key if we are to reverse the market share loss both ports have been
experiencing from competitors to our north."

Mike Moore, Vice President, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
aura:

"Our region benefits greatly from a healthy trade economy. Today's announcement by the ports of
Seattle and Tacoma is an example of effective governance and cooperation helping to pave the path
for our region's economic vitality. We congratulate everyone with the ports 9f Seattle and Tacoma on
this important milestone."

Joe Sprague, senior vice president of external relations for Alaska Air Group.

"Having the two ports not fighting over business is in the best long-term interest for everyone. Having
both ports busy is important. Right now it is an underutilized public investment."

John Cahill, President, Pac-Rim Building Supply
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"We are cautiously optimistic. We are in favor of anything that makes us stronger and brings jobs to
the region."
Dan McKisson, ILWU Local 19
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"i'm optimistic that together we wieid a bigger stick and bigger carrot. l'm optimistic that if this is done
right, we can grow cargo volumes through the region."

Dean McGrath, President, ILWU Local 23
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"The cities of Tacoma and Seattle have a strong, proud maritime history and our ports provide
thousands of family-wage jobs. if the Puget Sound region is serious about our ability to compete in the
dynamic global economy, we must use our assets and political capital to form partnerships such as the
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Seaport Alliance. This is a smart business decision."
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Marilyn Strickland, Tacoma Mayor
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"Competitive pressures in the global marine cargo industry are extreme, and getting more so. Puget
Sound is largely a passthrough area for marine cargo which means the Port of Tacoma and the Port of
Seattle are particuiarly vuinerabie. Shipping lines are consolidating and rival ports in Canada and
Southern California are investing to increase their capacity in order to take cargo from Puget
Sound. The widening of the Panama Canal presents an additional serious challenge.

The goal of the Seaport Ailiance is to ensure that the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle grow
market share and local jobs in both communities. The Alliance is a bold step designed to facilitate
strategic investments and business decisions that address true market realities. This is the right
goal. The due diligence phase has just begun and we look forward to participating to ensure that the
final agreement provides the best possible mechanism to achieve the goal. We encourage ali business
and civic leaders to participate as well."

Bruce Kendall, President & CEO, Economic Deveiopment Board for Tacoma-Pierce County
42:46::

"The Seaport Alliance is great news! I applaud both gateway ports for making our region even more
competitive."

Tom Pierson, President and CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
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