Connecting Washington to the World

Class 41 Transportation Seminar

Class 41 had the pleasure of experiencing Seattle transportation issues first-hand. In order to avoid sitting in traffic, class members took the Link light rail out to Sea-Tac to learn about shellfish inspections from Washington Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer, Sgt. Erik Olson.

Class members heard from several seasoned transportation and logistics experts as well as Class 41 member Kai Itämeri’s father-in-law, Tom Albro, a retired Seattle Port Commissioner who stepped in at the last minute to fill a speaker void.

The highlight was when the Class was granted permission to board a Matson container ship docked for 24 hours. In the wheelhouse, class members heard about life at sea from several seasoned captains while watching the high cranes unload six stories of containers off the ship. Several Class members commented it was the best tour they’ve experienced yet!

Special thanks to AgForestry alumni Bill Bloxom (Class 34), Monty Schilter (Class 31) and Hannah Clark (Class 39) for helping coordinate this fabulous seminar.

Courtney Naumann asking Fish and Wildlife Officer, Erik Olson, about the contents of the box.

Here’s what class members said:

This seminar provided a great perspective on the magnitude of product that moves through the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

This seminar displayed how connected the state of Washington really is. I was able to see many transportation issues the east side faces, are the same as the west side. I was also able to see how the port systems work, which is a huge economic component of Washington.

I deal with both imports and exports through this port on a daily basis. Seeing our transportation system at work was incredible and will help me smooth this process.

I have a greater appreciation of the necessity of the infrastructure that has been built in Seattle for the benefit of our entire PNW economy. I realize value of investment and planning for the future economic growth.

Understanding how massive our transportation system really is and how the export market works for the whole state was really interesting. I knew how the port worked with the east side markets to export their commodities, but I didn’t understand to what depth. Both sides of the state are much more dependent on each other than I realized.

I enjoyed seeing all the moving parts of our State's transportation system.

Kai Itameri introducing his father-in-law, Tom Albro, retired Seattle Port Commissioner to the Class.

The view from the wheelhouse aboard the Matson ship couldn't be compared.

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