Northwest Seaport Alliance Installs Second Electric Forklift at Port of Tacoma

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reached another milestone in its transition to zero-emission cargo handling operations with the arrival of its second battery-electric forklift at the East Blair One Terminal (EB-1) in the Port of Tacoma.

The acquisition of the equipment is funded by a $2.6 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) 2023-2025 Port Electrification Grant Program.

The newly delivered forklift is one of several zero-emission cargo handling equipment being implemented at the breakbulk terminal, managed and operated by the NWSA.

"The arrival of our second electric forklift represents a true advancement in modernizing operations at East Blair One and in reducing emissions from cargo handling activities," stated Dick Marzano, NWSA Co-Chair and President of the Port of Tacoma Commission.

Electric forklifts are replacing diesel equipment, which historically have been among the most used in cargo handling at the terminal.

With the commissioning of the new machine, the NWSA anticipates significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and diesel pollution. These improvements advance the goals of Washington State's Climate Commitment Act and Healthy Environment for All Act, while fostering cleaner operations throughout the access area.

This project is part of the NWSA's broader commitment to the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, which aims to gradually eliminate emissions from port activities in Seattle and Tacoma by 2050 or sooner.