Five maritime industry companies have been honored by the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s North Star Awards for their contributions to the gateway and the region in 2023, it was announced Oct. 24.
Ocean Network Express received NWSA’s Ocean Carrier of the Year award for “handling the most container volume and experiencing the largest year-over-year volume increase of all ocean carriers calling at the Seattle-Tacoma gateway, demonstrating its commitment to operational excellence and growth,” according to the announcement.
The Importer of the Year award went to Harbor Freight Tools, which is creating a new 782,773-square-foot facility in Frederickson, Wash. The facility’s expected to generate about 220 jobs in the region.
Exporter of the Year was International Feed, which grew its volume nearly 200% in 2023, making the feed and food ingredients commodity trading company one of NWSA’s top 15 export customers, according to the NWSA.
Mercer Logistics, the lone U.S. Customs Centralized Examination Station (CES) operator in the region, netted the Service Excellence Award for its efforts to make cargo movement more efficient by growing CES facilities and working with CBP to expedite clearance and enact creative solutions to manage detained containers, NWSA said.
The Environmental Stewardship Award was given to PetroCard, which has been advancing renewable diesel efforts by teaming with the Port of Tacoma to fuel port vehicles.
“The North Star Award winners have truly demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation,” Port of Seattle Commission President and NWSA Co-Chair Hamdi Mohamed said. “Their contributions to The Northwest Seaport Alliance have been invaluable, driving economic growth and strengthening our region’s reputation as a premier gateway for trade.”
