Weekly Roundup: Drops Continue, Command Change, and European Trade

Period Covered: July 18–25, 2025

Vessel Arrivals

51 vessels (down from 61 last week, down 16%)

This week brought sharp declines across most vessel categories. Container traffic fell 18%, tanker arrivals dropped 25%, and tug/ATB were down 67%. No general cargo vessels called this week, while bulker and Ro/Ro traffic were the only segments to see an increase.

Operational Notes

All seven AIS towers were online this week, though Ellis and Buck reported intermittent outages throughout the period.

Container Volume Trends: Up, But Misleading

NWSA’s June 2025 TEU statistics reveal that total container volume is up 5.1% year-over-year through June, with 1.64 million TEUs moved so far. However, over half of international exports (51%) are empty containers. While overall volume appears healthy, growth is being driven by empty repositioning — not revenue-generating cargo.

Empty exports have jumped 27.6% year-to-date, while empty imports have dropped significantly. If import demand remains weak and empty flows continue, the second half of 2025 could underperform, despite the strong start. We’re keeping a close eye on consumer demand, inventory levels, and trans-Pacific freight rates. On the bright side, Alaska and Hawaii trade lanes continue to offer dependable stability.

Leadership & Policy

This week Rear Admiral Arex Avanni officially relieved Rear Admiral Charles Fosse as Commander of the Northwest District. We thank RADM Fosse for his years of dedicated service and welcome RADM Avanni as he assumes this important regional role.

In international trade, a newly announced European trade agreement is expected to bring increased stability to trans-Atlantic cargo flows. Meanwhile, trans-Pacific container rates have begun to level off after months of volatility.

 

Weekly Roundup: Arrivals Down, Events on Deck, and a Visit from the Eagle

Vessel activity across Puget Sound slowed this week, even as passenger arrivals continued to climb. While market shifts and global tariffs cast a long shadow, our team is focused on delivering new tools, building momentum for key events, and celebrating the maritime moments that bring our community together.

Vessel Arrivals: Dips Across Most Sectors

Vessel arrivals fell 11% this week (65 → 58 vessels), led by steep drops in:

  • Container traffic: down 31%
  • Vehicle Carrier traffic: down 29%

Passenger traffic increased by 17% (12 → 14 vessels) as cruise season continues

Berth arrivals dropped 15% (71 → 60), with sharp declines at:

  • March Point: down 42%
  • Port Angeles: 0 arrivals (down from 2)
  • Everett and Aberdeen: each down 2 → 1

Bright spot: Cherry Point climbed +50%

Operational & Tech Updates

AIS Network: Ellis tower is currently receiving repairs.

New Port Directory: We’re working to launching an online Port Directory, set to replace the discontinued Port Handbook. Expect a preview at our Annual Member Meeting in September.

Upcoming Events

Annual Member Meeting
September 11, 2025, Ballard Elks Lodge, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us for updates on vessel trends, AIS infrastructure, policy priorities, and a look at what’s ahead in 2026. Lunch is included, parking is free, and we’ll be honoring Rep. Julia Reed with our first-ever Legislator of the Year Award. A private Q&A will follow the program. Learn more and RSVP now.

National Harbor Safety Conference
March 24–25, 2026, Bell Harbor Conference Center, Seattle
The Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee is proud to host the 2026 National Harbor Safety Conference, with administration by the Marine Exchange. We’ll be welcoming hundreds of industry leaders from across North America for two days of panels, keynotes, networking, and local maritime insight. Learn more & sign up to receive updates.

Sponsorship opportunities available — prospectus coming this week. Contact us if you are interested.

Tariff Watch

The Trump administration announced sweeping new tariffs that could sharply impact Pacific Northwest trade:

  • 35% tariffs on most Canadian goods, effective August 1.
  • 50% tariffs on copper, also starting August 1, under a Section 232 national security claim. Copper is the world’s most important industrial metal.
  • Tariff letters sent to several countries (including Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Philippines), warning of 20–50% duties. Some tariffs were reduced.
  • Tariffs on European Union goods are expected soon; details pending as negotiations continue.

With cargo demand already vulnerable, these moves may strain pricing, volume, and long-range booking decisions for regional shippers and terminals.

Community Highlight: The Eagle In Seattle

This week, we welcomed the USCGC Eagle — known as “America’s Tall Ship” — to Puget Sound. A floating symbol of maritime tradition and Coast Guard training, the Eagle welcomed the public for tours and brough some much needed joy to the maritime community.

I had the opportunity to board her during docking, and it was a powerful reminder of what makes this industry so inspiring. Thank you to Captain and crew for hosting us and opening up your ship to passengers. Wishing everyone aboard the EAGLE a safe voyage home after completing their port calls in Canada.

 

Weekly Roundup: Global Ripples, Local Traffic

As the maritime world braces for geopolitical shifts, tariff changes, and supply chain tremors, Puget Sound continues to offer a front-row seat to how global currents shape regional activity. Here’s a concise view of what moved this week—from vessel and berth trends to policy headlines and the future of Coast Guard support.

Vessel & Berth Trends: A Solid Uptick (!)

Vessel Arrivals rose by 29% (49 → 63 vessels), driven by sharp increases in:

  • Bulk cargo: up 167%
  • Tug/ATB movements: up 300%
  • Vehicle shipments: up 60%

Berth Arrivals climbed 26% (54 → 68), with standout gains in:

  • Tacoma: up 71%
  • Cherry Point: up 100%
  • March Point: up 40%

These surges point to rising industrial throughput, repositioning ahead of summer fuel runs, and shifting terminal capacity across the Sound.

Operational Snapshot

All seven AIS towers in our network reported 100% uptime with clean, uninterrupted transmissions.

Policy Pulse: From State Law to Global Trade

Washington State Legislative 

Changes (Effective July 27, 2025):

  • SB 5191: Expands paid leave for maritime workers
  • HB 1167: Strengthens maritime education in schools
  • HB 1511: Increases pay for ferry captains and deck officers

Federal Developments:

  • Imports at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach dropped 24% in May—the lowest since mid-2023.
  • Spot shipping rates (Shanghai to West Coast) fell nearly 7% after early summer highs.
  • The USTR backed off proposed penalties on non-U.S. LNG tankers and vehicle carriers, attempting to ease supply chain pressures.

Spotlight: Coast Guard Funding in Limbo

Despite unanimous Senate approval of S. 524, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the bill is stalled in the House. Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced it won’t be brought to a vote, delaying key funding and reforms.

Meanwhile, the FY2026 DHS budget proposal slashes shore infrastructure funding from $400 million to just $21 million. This comes despite a well-documented $7 billion backlog in repairs and modernization needs.

These delays have direct implications for Coast Guard readiness—and by extension, for everyone operating in our waters.

Final Take: Why It Matters

Vessel and berth volumes are signals. Changes in traffic reflect more than cargo flows; they echo policy shifts, labor movements, and geopolitical uncertainty.

A resilient maritime system isn’t just built on ships and terminals—it’s built on coordination, infrastructure, and well-supported public service partners like the U.S. Coast Guard.

At the Marine Exchange, we’ll continue tracking the data, maintaining uptime, and telling the story behind the numbers.

Let’s Stay Connected

What are you seeing in your corner of the maritime world? How are these national and global changes showing up at your dock?

Weekly Roundup: Succession, Sanity, and Staying the Course

Vessel Traffic: Holding Steady, Trending Up

We recorded a 22% increase in overall commercial vessel arrivals this week, driven by bulk and container ships. That’s a healthy sign of activity, even as other indicators flash yellow.

Total Arrivals: 43 → 55
Notable gains:

  • Bulk: +64%

  • Containers: +29%

  • General cargo: +200%

Berth Arrivals: 47 → 59 (up 20%)

  • Seattle up 24%, March Point up 43%, Aberdeen and Anacortes back online

  • Port Angeles: 0 arrivals

Operations Snapshot

  • We continue to experience radio outages at Ellis Tower and are evaluating rerouting options.

  • Met with the incoming Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Prevention Department Head to strengthen future collaboration.

Legislative Update: No Major Shifts This Week

Most priority bills have passed and are now awaiting effective dates. A few remain in review, and we’re watching closely for signs of a special session to finalize the state budget.

Bills Passed & Awaiting Implementation:

  • HB 1167 – Maritime education in career & technical programs (Effective 7/27)

  • SB 5281 – Nonresident vessel permits (Effective 9/1)

  • SB 5191 – Paid family leave for dockworkers

  • SB 5161 – 2025–27 transportation appropriations

  • HB 1511 – Ferry captain authority clarified (Effective 7/27)

  • HB 1414 – Student career access (Effective 7/27)

  • HB 1264 – Ferry system salaries

  • SB 5794 – Tax preference repeal (Marine Exchange opposes)

Bills We’re Monitoring:

  • SB 5160 / HB 1226 – Supplemental transportation budget

  • SB 5550 / HB 1324 – CCA-funded transportation investment

Under Review:

  • SB 5652 – Environmental equity in port communities

  • SB 5519 / HB 1652 – Low sulfur marine fuel standards

  • HB 1684, HB 1513, HB 1678 – Coastal, conservation, and infrastructure bills

Didn’t Advance:

  • SB 5248 – Bridge collision prevention

  • HB 1689 – Emissions at berth

  • HB 1288 – Outdoor rec & climate adaptation

Spotlight: Where Are All the Mariners?

We’ve got a succession crisis in maritime—and it’s not hypothetical. Pilots are aging out. Engineers are retiring. Tug captains and dispatchers are slowly slipping out of the workforce. And there’s no wave of new talent waiting in the wings.

At a recent Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary meeting, someone mentioned they couldn’t find a line handler for their research vessel. That’s not a blip—that’s a system strain.

If we don’t bring in the next generation, there will be:

  • No ships

  • No terminals

  • No ferries

  • No working waterfront

This industry gave me everything. A mission. A living. A life. And now, it’s our job to ensure someone else gets that same shot.

Help Us Build the Next Generation

We launched the John Veentjer Maritime Scholarship to break down barriers and open doors. These are unrestricted scholarships—fast, flexible, and designed to put money on target with as few speed bumps as possible.

We’re hosting a fundraiser cruise on June 12 aboard the Virginia V. Can’t attend? No problem. Just donate. It matters.

👉 DONATE OR JOIN US

Upcoming Events – Week of May 19

  • Monday – PNWER Cross-Border Supply Chain Workshop (Bellingham)

  • Tuesday – Puget Sound Marine Firefighting Commission (online)

  • Wednesday – ECHO Vessel Operators Committee

  • Thursday – Marine Insurance Association of Seattle: Day of Education

Final Word: Tariff Who? Tariff What?

The Trump Administration called for a 90-day tariff pause on Chinese imports—and the markets barely blinked. That tells you everything.

This isn’t trade strategy. It’s policy whiplash dressed up in populist cosplay. And once again, the people getting punished are port communities like ours—workers, exporters, logistics firms, and mariners.

If it feels like nobody wants to talk about this, but everyone is talking about it—you’re not imagining things.

The tide is shifting. Let’s keep our heads above water—and bring the next crew aboard while we still can.

The Marine Exchange of Puget Sound with the U.S. Coast Guard Release Comprehensive Cetacean Guide for Mariners

July 10, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Marine Exchange of Puget Sound with the U.S. Coast Guard Release Comprehensive Cetacean Guide for Mariners

 

SEATTLE, July 10, 2024 – The Marine Exchange of Puget Sound (MXPS), in collaboration with the United States Coast Guard, is pleased to announce the release of the “Puget Sound Cetacean Guide for Mariners.”

Endorsed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WSDFW), the guide provides essential information for mariners navigating the Puget Sound. It includes details on legal distance requirements, where to report sightings, protective measures to be aware of, and more.

The guide has compiled information and resources from critical organizations including the United States Coast Guard Cetacean Desk embedded within the Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Service,  the Whale Reporting Alert System/Whale Report App (WRAS) managed by Ocean Wise, Acartia.io data cooperative, NOAA, WSDFW, and the Port of Vancouver Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program.

“We hope that this guide can be a usable resource for those on the water encountering these animals and provide mariners the immediate information they need regarding the laws and conservation efforts in place for them.”, said Sara Zeman, a designer of the guide.

Physical copies of the guide will be available at maritime offices and events across the region. It can also be accessed digitally on the MXPS website (https://marexps.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Puget-Sound-Cetacean-Guide-for-Mariners.pdf). For further information or to request copies, please contact the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound at info@marexps.com or 206-443-3830.

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The Marine Exchange of Puget Sound (MXPS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the maritime transportation system safer and stronger in the region. Since 1980, MXPS has served as a vital resource for the maritime community, providing services such as vessel tracking technology, real-time data solutions, communications services, and collaborative initiatives.

Races, Alliances, and Clubs

Emergency Response Towing Vessel

I write these blog posts by opening my calendar and looking at what I’ve been doing since the last time I wrote. This is so great for me in that I get an opportunity to reflect on how cool this job really is. I spend my time with amazing people who are doing unbelievable things that most people never get to see, so I share the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at maritime in Puget Sound.

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

  1. Race to Alaska. The R2AK planning starts as the race finishes up from last year. We’ve been a sponsor the past 2 years in an attempt to open the aperture into a completely different application of our shared waterway, and it’s been a beautiful relationship between the Marine Exchange and the NW Maritime Center’s Race to Alaska. I don’t know how we’d do it exactly, but my secret hope is to be the official race tracker someday.
  2. Cetacean Desk. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock (sounds cool), you’ve likely heard that the Coast Guard has formally launched its Cetacean Desk within Sector Puget Sound. What you may not recognize amidst the applause and high fiving is that this remains an unfunded mandate for the Coast Guard which makes their accomplishments even more impressive to me. If you ever need blood drawn from a stone, don a lifejacket then call the Coast Guard.
  3. Harbor Safety, Chicago style. I’ve been on this year’s National Harbor Safety Committee Conference for several months, and this one is going to be good. I’m on a lot of committees these days, and I hesitated to join another. But, I am very glad that I did. The planning and participation level is so impressive that I’ve been considering volunteering to host the next national convention here in Seattle. Thoughts? Volunteers?
  4. Beam Reach, Acartia Data Cooperative. Scott Veirs from Beam Reach is brilliant. He shared his time with us at the Marine Exchange educating us about his work, the organizations he serves, and his ideas for the future. Every time I schedule an hour with Scott, it turns into 2 and a half. We’re grateful to all the data contributors at acartia.io and continue to develop software to contribute to the cooperative.
  5. Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA); Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA): I had two great meetings in one day with two strong organizations locally, but both were centered around the same topic but completely different angles. The short version is that everyone is aligned with making Puget Sound ports more competitive and attractive for port visits. We spent time looking at data sets and how we count arrivals, departures, and shifts. At the NWSA, I got an opportunity to tour their operations and the terminals. Wow, what a dance. These are impressive people who are constantly resolving issues that swirl around any port visit. Incredible day.
  6. Seattle Propeller Club: SPC hosted their first “deep dive,” and although I couldn’t attend, I heard it was a big success. This event’s deep dive was centered around the issue of alternative fuels…. and cocktails.
  7. Marine Exchange of San Francisco: My good friend, Scott Humphrey, from the Marine Exchange of San Francisco met with me while he was visiting Panama. We got an hour to catch up, and I got to hear about the bidding system to get ships through the Panama Canal. Unbelievable! We also talked about whale tracking, Harbor Safety Committees, and NOAA’s Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS). Did you know there are two PORTS sensors in Puget Sound? Both are in Tacoma.
  8. Merchant’s Exchange: My new friend and southern neighbor in Portland, Curtis Cannizzaro, graciously shared an hour with me to talk about Marine Firefighting and specifically the future of the Puget Sound Marine Firefighting Commission. In Portland they have the Fire Protection Agencies Advisory Council within the Maritime Fire & Safety Association which have similar missions but are structured very differently. Curtis shared a lot of information with me including the news that the Merchant’s Exchange just signed a Continuity of Operations Memorandum of Understanding with the Coast Guard. Very cool.

Okay, that’s enough. It’s been a tremendous couple of weeks and judging by my calendar, the next 2 are going to blow my mind. Thanks for reading!

 

Patrick Gallagher, Executive Director
Marine Exchange of Puget Sound

Death of the World’s Shortcuts

*This photo has been generated using artificial intelligence. While it may appear realistic, it is important to note that it was not captured by a human photographer.*

Global maritime trade is changing. The Panama Canal is breaking down due to drought, and the Houthis are forcing the world’s largest ships to add days to their transit to avoid the Red Sea chokepoint. While it’s possible to control the drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, there’s not a lot we can do about the Canal. It just needs to rain. What does this all mean for the maritime industry in the Puget Sound and Gray’s Harbor? It means that if we want things to stay the same, then things are going to have to change. Here’s what I’ve been working on:

Whale detection and monitoring update

We are finally able to see whale sightings within our ship tracking software! This is something we’ve been interested in doing for a long time, and it’s amazing to see on a screen together. We got the data from acartia.io then figured out how to push this into our WebVTS software. Awesome. Obviously, with this, we could simply make callouts directly to ships passing through these sightings. However, a far better solution is to get a machine to automatically detect and monitor then send a message to the vessel directly via AIS transmission (we’re working on it). Right now, most of these sightings are from humans and so subject to human error and estimation. It’s still amazing and powerful, but we’re eyeing the next generation of technology for whale detection and monitoring. If you have a SiiTech login from us, you should be able to see for yourself.
The black dots are gray whale sightings. The triangles are vessels.

National Harbor Safety Committee

This year’s National Harbor Safety Committee meeting is being held in Chicago on March 20-21. I’ve been part of the planning team to bring it together, and it’s looking fantastic. This year the format is nearly all panel discussions, and there are some very experienced and well-respected leaders on these panels. The Commandant of the Coast Guard will be the keynote speaker. You should go.

NWSA dredging to 57′

This must’ve slipped by me when it was announced in December, but I saw the NW Seaport Alliance has signed an agreement to dredge to 57 feet in the Blair Waterway. This is good news in that the largest (over 1600 TEU) ships almost never come here because of lack of US port infrastructure that accommodates the monster container ships. This is good news, but what we really need is a national strategy and investment. These ships are not likely to just come to Tacoma, offload, then return to origination. No, they’ll want to offload in multiple US ports. Without subsequent commitment to port infrastructure along the entire west coast, then most economically impactful ships will continue to bypass.    

Build vs Buy, Decarbonization, and Maritime Day 2024

WA state ferry being towed

*This photo has been generated using artificial intelligence. While it may appear realistic, it is important to note that it was not captured by a human photographer.*

Buying Ships

Washington State Ferries should follow the Coast Guard’s lead and just buy a ferry (or 5). I’m referring to the Coast Guard’s plea to buy a commercially available icebreaker for $150 million. If it were up to the Coast Guard, this would’ve happened years ago as we’ve watched the heavy icebreaking capability erode slowly over time down at Pier 36. 

The level of urgency surrounding our lack of presence in the receding ice of the Arctic is now surpassing our level of commitment to lobbying for ship design and manufacturing dollars. Still, where there’s billions at stake, there’s a fight. 

But, alas — Politics. It’s not until we’re out of options that we loosen protectionist legislation. Looking at you, Jones Act.

  • PMSA West Coast Trade Report is out. Read the section on the export of recycled material. This is a “must read” for me and I always plan on at least an hour to absorb it. The short version for us is that the containerized cargo trade for the NW Seaport Alliance is down from 3.1 million TEUs a year ago to 2.7 million TEUs in November. This is below COVID numbers.
  • Port decarbonization buzz is everywhere. I attended 3 different discussions in the past week where this was a primary talking point.
  • Tug Escort Rulemaking workshop wrapped another session last week. I missed the last workshop but reviewed their timeline and finally read their public comments which closed last April. This isn’t over, but the major rub seems to be whether the increased tug traffic (emissions, noise, congestion) is worth the risk being bought down by the increased tug presence. Stay tuned.
  • Maritime Day is today! Members of the WA Maritime Federation will be engaging state legislators on a full spectrum of maritime-related policy and funding issues.
This is my first blog post, but it’s really just a way for me to keep track of top issues and what I’ve been paying attention to over the past two weeks. I realize some of my opinions or thoughts may not completely align with yours or your organization, but my goal is to simply provide some fact-based commentary and awareness that you may not get anywhere else.