Northwest Seaport Alliance expands global reach with new Vietnam representative

NWSA is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Combined, the north and south harbours are a major North American gateway for containerised trade and the handling of non-containerised commodities (bulk, breakbulk, project/heavy-lift cargoes, and automobiles).

This strategic partnership will strengthen NWSA’s presence in this key market and enhance trade opportunities between the Pacific Northwest and Vietnam.

As NWSA’s third-largest trading partner, Vietnam has become a vital component of the NWSA’s global trade network, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of the NWSA’s total international containerised volume in 2023. United Base Co., based in Ho Chi Minh City, brings a wealth of experience in marketing and promoting US agricultural products in Vietnam. The company has a proven track record of success working with various US state governments and industry trade associations.

Francis Lee, the firm’s director, will spearhead the partnership. With over 30 years of experience in promoting US companies and products in Vietnam and a strong history of collaboration with the American Consulate and US Foreign Agricultural Service, Lee is uniquely qualified to drive growth and expand business opportunities for NWSA.

“We are excited to partner with United Base Co., Ltd. to strengthen our presence in Vietnam,” said Kristin Ang, Port of Tacoma commission president and co-chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance. “This strategic alliance will enable us to better serve our customers and capitalise on the growing trade opportunities between our two regions.”

“Vietnam is a dynamic and growing market, and we are looking forward to strengthening our presence through this partnership with United Base Co., Ltd. This strategic move reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional service to our customers and driving economic growth for the Pacific Northwest,” stated Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle commission vice-president and co-chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

Today, the NWSA already boasts the fastest ocean service between Vietnam and the Pacific Northwest with UWL/SWIRE shipping’s Sun Chief Express. This new partnership will further solidify the NWSA’s position as the premier gateway for trade between the two regions.

By expanding its presence in Vietnam, the NWSA aims to facilitate the movement of agricultural exports through its gateway to international markets and capture a larger share of imports from this emerging manufacturing powerhouse. This will benefit both US agriculture producers and US consumers by providing efficient and reliable shipping options between the two regions.

The partnership will officially commence on September 1, 2024, with the option to renew in January 2025.