Wallenius Wilhelmsen Industrial Tacoma and drayage provider Campbell’s Trucking have been honored with the 2021 North Star Award winners by the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the alliance announced Oct. 13.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Industrial Tacoma received the Cargo Anchor Award, given to a company whose efforts have bolstered cargo numbers in the NSWA gateway and fostered regional economic growth, according to the alliance.
WWIT has seen its machine throughput grow by 25% from 2019-2021, drawing “high and heavy” cargo through the gateway, according to the Seaport Alliance. Last year, the company’s ships called at Tacoma 65 times and carried nearly 50% more H&H cargo than the previous year, the alliance said.
“We appreciate our partnership with WWIT and their contribution to increasing the competitive advantage for shippers using our gateway,” Seaport Alliance Co-Chair and Port of Tacoma Commission President Don Meyer. “Their dedication to operational excellence and finishing equipment has enabled WWIT to expand volumes of high-and-heavy equipment and drive job opportunities in our gateway.”
Tacoma-based Campbell’s Trucking netted the Environmental Stewardship Award, spotlighting firms that champion the environment while advancing trade and economic development, the Seaport Alliance said.
The woman-owned trucking firm worked to curb emissions by operating its truck fleet with renewable liquid natural gas. Campbell’s invested private money toward efforts to convert its fleet from diesel to regasified liquid natural gas, lowering the company’s carbon footprint by about 85%, according to the Seaport Alliance.
“The Northwest Seaport Alliance, alongside the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma are working toward zero maritime emissions by 2050, including all partners in the maritime sector,” NWSA Co-Chair and Port of Seattle Commissioner President Ryan Calkins said. “We greatly appreciate having partners like Campbell’s Trucking who are taking initiative and making green investments in our gateway.”
