January 4, 1982 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News

APL Dedicates New Seattle Terminal

A m e r i c a n P r e s i d e n t Lines (APL), operator of the West Coast's largest fleet of trans- Pacific ships, recently dedicated its new $29-million Seattle, Wash, terminal.

Mrs. Charles Royer, wife of the Seattle mayor, broke a champagne bottle against a $3-million crane to formally open Terminal 46.

APL president Bruce Seaton described the new facility, which nearly doubles the space the line had at Terminal 24, as the company's premiere terminal.

He said Seattle is APL's busiest port for inbound cargo, while Los Angeles has the top ranking for outbound shipments.

"Being the most modern and computerized, Seattle is our most efficient port," Mr. Seaton said.

APL has a 20-year lease from the port which includes 46 acres, offices, three container cranes, yard equipment, and 1,728-feet of pier berthing space.

Under a new formula devised by the port, APL will pay $45,000 an acre in rent, for a total of $2.1 million a year. That makes it the port's No. 2 tenant, behind Sea- Land Service. It will also pay extra charges f o r equipment rentals.

Mr. Seaton said improved efficiency will make up for the higher rent.

Coinciding with the ceremony were the first shipboard arrivals of some of APL's new 45-foot containers. Mr. Seaton said the boxes, which are 9.5-feet high, carry 17 percent more cargo, yet cost no more to transport by rail or truck than the traditional 40- foot long, eight-foot high containers.

The new APL terminal also serves Johnson Scanstar vessels engaging in European and Pacific Rim trade.

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