Monday, May 5, 2008

Port of Tacoma Principal Sponsor for Northwest Intermodal Conference

TACOMA (May 5, 2008) – The Port of Tacoma will host and be principal sponsor of the second annual Northwest Intermodal Conference, to be held May 19-20 at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

"With our robust rail network – served by BNSF Railway, Union Pacific and our region's own short-line service, Tacoma Rail – we are at the epicenter of rail activity in the Pacific Northwest," said Port of Tacoma Commission President Dick Marzano, noting that more than more than 70 percent of the Port's containerized import cargo is handled by rail.

The conference will bring industry experts from across North America in the fields of trade, research, economics, academia and transportation logistics to discuss intermodal business in the Pacific Northwest. Attendees will learn how shippers and service providers view the port system and the inter-connected distribution networks that move their cargo.

And with the expectation that cargo volumes will continue to grow through Pacific Northwest ports, interactive sessions will discuss how rail service providers, ports and government are addressing the infrastructure challenge of moving greater cargo volumes more efficiently and productively.

For more information about the Northwest Intermodal Conference or to register, visit www.northwestintermodal.com or call 206-324-5644 ext. 222.

Top Industry Executives Headline Conference

Following opening remarks by Port of Tacoma Executive Director Timothy J. Farrell, the conference will feature the following keynote speakers:

* Walter Kemmsies, Chief Economist, Moffatt & Nichol

* David Hoppens, Vice President, Marketing, Pacer

* Peter Keller, President, NYK Line North America Inc.

* Bradley K. Gordon, North American Infrastructure Fund, RREEF Alternative Investments

Sessions include the following:

* "More than Ship-to-Shore: Ocean Carriers and MTOs on Intermodal," with panelists from Evergreen Marine Corp., Marine Terminals Corp., Port of Portland and SSA Containers, Inc.

* "A Clear Pathway: Road and Rail Corridor Improvements in the PNW," with panelists from Port of Seattle, Transport Canada, Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington Trucking Association.

* "Land is at a Premium: Industrial Property and Distribution in the PNW," with panelists from First Industrial Realty-Trust, Port of Tacoma, Port of Vancouver USA and Transystems.

* "PNW Rail Carrier Forum," with panelists from BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, Port of Tacoma, Tacoma Rail and Union Pacific Railroad.

* "Alaska Intermodal," with panelists from Alaska Railroad, Carlile Transportation Systems, Lynden Transport, Port of Anchorage and Totem Ocean Trailer Express.

About the Port of Tacoma

The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state related to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America, handling an estimated more than $36 billion in annual trade and about 2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units). The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks. Find out more online at: www.portoftacoma.com