In an effort to bolster the Pacific Northwest’s trade opportunities in Vietnam, the Northwest Seaport Alliance has chosen United Base Co. to represent the Seaport Alliance in Vietnam, the NWSA announced Aug. 27.
The partnership, which began Sept. 1 and contains a January 2025 renewal option, allows the Seaport Alliance to leverage its fast ocean service connection between Vietnam and the Pacific Northwest through the Sun Chief Express service operated by UWL and SWIRE Shipping.
The partnership also allows the Pacific Northwest to grow its agricultural exports market and take a bigger piece of the import market from Vietnam which, according to NWSA, is becoming “a manufacturing powerhouse.”
United Base Co., based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, brings more than three decades of experience marketing U.S. goods and businesses in Vietnam, NWSA’s third biggest trading partner. The country represented about 10% of NWSA’s total global container volume last year.
“Vietnam is a dynamic and growing market, and we are looking forward to strengthening our presence through this partnership with United Base Co., Ltd.,” Port of Seattle Commission Vice-President and NWSA Co-Chair Toshiko Hasegawa said.
“This strategic move reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional service to our customers and driving economic growth for the Pacific Northwest,” Hasegawa added.
United Base Co., led by director Francis Lee, has experience working with the American Consulate and U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service, according to the association.
“We are excited to partner with United Base Co., Ltd. to strengthen our presence in Vietnam,” Port of Tacoma Commission President and NWSA Co-Chair Kristin Ang said. “This strategic alliance will enable us to better serve our customers and capitalize on the growing trade opportunities between our two regions.”
