HMM has announced a major investment to expand capacity at its Washington United Terminals (WUT) facility at the Port of Tacoma, signing a contract with HD Hyundai Samho for the supply of four new port cranes. The project is aimed at modernising the terminal, accommodating larger container vessels, and strengthening HMM’s logistics capabilities on the US West Coast.
Under the agreement, two ageing ship-to-shore (quay) cranes will be replaced with new units, while two additional yard cranes will be installed to improve cargo handling efficiency. The turnkey contract covers the design, manufacturing, transportation, installation, and commissioning of the cranes, with completion scheduled by 2028.
The upgrade will increase WUT’s annual container handling capacity from 590,000 TEUs to 880,000 TEUs, significantly enhancing the terminal’s ability to serve larger vessels and growing cargo volumes. The terminal currently operates eight quay cranes and six yard cranes and is a key gateway for HMM’s trans-Pacific services.
HMM said the investment reflects its long-term strategy of strengthening port infrastructure alongside fleet expansion to secure resilient global supply chains. The project also aligns with the broader Korea-US maritime cooperation initiative, with HD Hyundai Samho highlighting the contract as an opportunity to expand its presence in the US port infrastructure market.