UWL and Emirates Shipping Line will shift the Sun Chief Express from fortnightly to weekly sailings from June 2026, giving the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) stronger direct connections in response to rising demand from Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
The move strengthens direct connectivity between Vietnam and the NWSA gateway, offering transit times of 18 days from Ho Chi Minh City and 15 days from Shekou, China, to Seattle.
Weekly frequency is expected to bring greater schedule certainty, scalable capacity, and fixed-day departures for shippers.
The NWSA has spent recent years deepening trade ties between the Pacific Northwest and Vietnam.
The upgraded service builds on that effort, tightening commercial links and improving supply chain performance on both sides of the Pacific.
For U.S. shippers, weekly sailings improve access to fast-growing Southeast Asian markets, supporting quicker speed-to-shelf for imports and expanding export opportunities for agricultural producers in the region.
For Vietnam, the service provides a reliable, direct link to the Puget Sound and inland U.S. markets, reinforcing supply chain resilience and supporting continued growth.
NWSA Co-Chair and Port of Seattle Commission President, Toshiko Hasegawa, said: “UWL and ESL’s decision to expand the Sun Chief Express to weekly sailings is a testament to the growing importance of Vietnam as a manufacturing hub and the strategic value of the NWSA gateway.
“This enhanced service will deliver faster, more reliable connections that benefit importers and exporters across the Pacific Northwest.”
NWSA Co-Chair and Port of Tacoma Commission President, John McCarthy, added: “Strong partnerships like the one with UWL and ESL are essential to maintaining the NWSA’s position as a premier West Coast gateway.
“The increased frequency and capacity of this direct Vietnam service will drive greater trade volumes, support US exporters reaching Southeast Asia markets, and reinforce the mutual economic benefits of this vital trade lane.”
In December 2025, Tacoma’s Terminal 7 cleared two ageing ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, built in 1979 and 1986, marking the end of their decades-long service.
