Washington United Terminals (WUT) has signed a contract with South Korea-based HD Hyundai Samho for four new cranes as part of a major expansion project.
Opened in 1999, WUT is operated by Seoul-based HMM, formerly known as Hyundai Merchant Marine. HMM is currently one of the world’s largest container shipping companies. HMM and HD Hyundai Samho are separate companies operating under different corporate groups.
The terminal is equipped with an on-dock rail system, allowing containers to be transferred directly between ships and trains. HMM said the rail connection gives the terminal strong access to inland markets and supports the carrier’s U.S. West Coast operations.
As part of the project, WUT will replace two aging quay cranes while also adding two new yard cranes.
The new equipment will allow the terminal to accommodate larger container ships while substantially increasing its overall cargo-handling capacity.
Annual capacity at WUT is expected to jump from approximately 590,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, to around 880,000 TEUs once the upgrades are completed.
WUT does not currently publish its annual container throughput figures.
Delivery of the new cranes is scheduled for 2028.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance said the overall investment in the WUT project is expected to total approximately $135 million, with the entire expansion scheduled to be completed by 2030.
The investment comes as West Coast ports continue upgrading terminals and infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels and growing competition for containerized freight.