Marine Exchange of Puget Sound and Wärtsilä Form Strategic Partnership to Deploy the Pacific Northwest’s First Unified Digital Maritime Information Exchange Platform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marine Exchange of Puget Sound and Wärtsilä Form Strategic Partnership to Deploy the Pacific Northwest’s First Unified Digital Maritime Information Exchange Platform

 

The partnership marks the first North American deployment of Wärtsilä’s PortLink platform — already operational across four continents — bringing proven port management technology to reduce vessel congestion and improve traffic efficiency across Puget Sound.

 

SEATTLE, WA — May 28, 2026 — The Marine Exchange of Puget Sound (MXPS) and Wärtsilä Voyage Canada have announced a three-year partnership to deploy the PortLink Digital Maritime Information Exchange Platform across the Puget Sound maritime corridor.

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in maritime digitalization in the Pacific Northwest. It will introduce a shared digital platform connecting key constituents and enabling real-time operational coordination across one of North America’s busiest and most complex waterway systems.

The PortLink platform will deliver real-time vessel tracking integrated with AIS data, vessel visit management workflows, pilot input, service request handling, tug dispatch, incident reporting, and configurable alerting. Critically, it will enable seamless data exchange across the maritime ecosystem—providing the ability to connect pilots, terminals, tug operators, shipping agents, and regulators within a unified operational environment.

Implementation will follow a phased approach, beginning with core platform configuration and onboarding of pilot associations, terminal operators, and shipping agents. The Marine Exchange will retain full ownership and governance of all operational data throughout the deployment.

“For 46 years, the Marine Exchange has served as the trusted, neutral hub connecting the maritime community across Puget Sound,” said Patrick Gallagher, Executive Director of MXPS and Chair of the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee. “PortLink provides the digital infrastructure to match that mission. When a container vessel is inbound to Seattle, every constituent—from the pilot boarding at Port Angeles to the terminal operator in Tacoma—can be working from a shared, real-time operational picture. That represents a fundamental shift for this waterway.”

Unlike most major port ecosystems globally, Puget Sound operates without a single port authority. Vessel traffic is coordinated across multiple independent organizations, including deep-draft cargo shipping, passenger ferries, fishing fleets, tribal treaty vessels, and U.S. Navy operations. The PortLink platform introduces a unified digital environment to support coordination across this highly complex operating model.

“The Marine Exchange represents exactly the type of partner we look for—an independent, mission-driven organization with deep roots in the maritime community and a clear vision for a connected port ecosystem,” said Vesa Koivumaa, Head of Sales, Americas at Wärtsilä. “Puget Sound is one of the most operationally complex waterways in North America. Deploying the PortLink solution here will demonstrate what is possible when proven digital solutions are combined with trusted local governance.”

With more than 350 digital port and maritime traffic solutions deployed globally across Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, Wärtsilä continues to advance smart port ecosystems and maritime digitalization.

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About the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound

Founded in 1981, the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound is a nonprofit organization providing 24/7 vessel tracking and maritime safety services across Washington State waters. MXPS operates the region’s vessel traffic intelligence infrastructure, supports the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee, and serves as Vice President of the Maritime Information Services of North America (MISNA).

About Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä (Nasdaq Helsinki: WRT1V) is a global leader in smart technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets, with approximately 18,300 professionals across more than 230 locations in 77 countries. Wärtsilä Voyage Canada (Portlink) delivers an integrated portfolio of digital port and maritime solutions, including PMIS, PCS, marine traffic control, pilot dispatch, digital twin technologies, and the Digital Maritime Information Exchange Platform—enabling end-to-end coordination across port ecosystems.

For more information, please contact: Patrick Gallagher, patrick@marexps.com

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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.