Fewer ships and fewer jobs at the Port of Seattle are pushing longshore workers—especially entry-level casuals—into years of uncertainty, raising doubts about the future of dock work amid tariffs and global trade shifts.
Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that would permanently block public port funds from paying for fully automated container-handling equipment, drawing strong labor support and industry concern.
Oregon Container Terminal has officially launched at Portland’s Terminal 6, restoring Oregon’s only international container gateway and providing a stable, competitive shipping option for regional exporters and importers.
I-5 bridge replacement leaders now say an updated cost estimate won’t arrive until at least spring 2026, as they await a Coast Guard ruling on whether the new Columbia River span must include a costly movable section.
DOT has opened the FY 2026 BUILD grant competition, with applications due February 24, 2026, while ongoing port and marine highway grants and Washington State’s new Freight System Plan invite broader maritime and freight input.
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking navigation-focused comments on the proposed I-5 replacement bridge over the Columbia River, especially from operators needing more than 116 feet of vertical clearance, with input due by January 11, 2026.
The Port of Seattle has authorized the next phase in the East Waterway Superfund cleanup, issuing a public solicitation for a firm to lead the remedial design—marking a major milestone in restoring the Duwamish River and protecting local communities.
Oregon authorities are stepping up efforts to tag and remove abandoned and derelict vessels from state waterways, balancing environmental risks, navigation safety, and the realities of housing insecurity as the number of neglected boats continues to rise.
A unified command has launched pollution response efforts after the tugboat Dominion sank at Bremerton Marina, deploying containment booms and skimmers to mitigate diesel and oil spills while salvage plans are developed.
Salvage teams at the Port of Long Beach have recovered 32 containers from the Mississippi incident, with all unaffected cargo secured and no new pollution detected as recovery and investigation efforts continue under a Unified Command.
