News that one of Seattle's oldest port customers is moving to Tacoma brought a variety of reactions. And unanswered questions.
The Port of Seattle seemed alarmed, saying Tacoma's wooing of NYK Line put the relationship between the ports at risk. Today Bill Virgin notes that, if they can't cooperate, maybe Tacoma should take over Seattle's port.
A few remaining questions:
-- If NYK Line (or another company) wants to operate its own piers, why does Seattle keep its arrangement with operator SSA?
-- What does the deal cost Tacoma? Reportedly the project is $300 million, which may include building costs for any port tenant. What will the NYK arrangement cost taxpayers?
-- What's the competitive advantage of Tacoma (or Seattle) versus other ports along the West Coast? Seattle has been losing business and Tacoma's recent gain is Seattle's futher loss. Both will have to answer that question to beat regional rivals.
I'd like to see the region's mainstream media tackle those questions next.