Regional ports form alliance to create unified logistics hub in Walla Walla County
By Dan Thesman on Friday, February 6th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA COUNTY – In a move to strengthen Washington’s position in global trade, the Port of Walla Walla has joined forces with the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), which manages marine cargo operations of the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, plus the Ports of Benton and Pasco to establish a unified inland logistics hub in Wallula.
Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Kip Kelly attended Thursday’s signing ceremony in Olympia of the interlocal agreement, which marks a significant step toward a more integrated regional trade system.
“Today’s event is about more than signing an interlocal agreement,” Kelly said. “It reflects a shared vision and a recognition that the future of Washington’s trade system depends in part on how well we work together across regions.”
Kelly highlighted the vision for integrated trade and explained the agreement aims to align the efforts of individual port districts through coordinating strategies to attract and manage regional trade, pursuing financial resources together to enhance regional infrastructure and linking the state’s world-class seaports with a robust, well-connected inland network.
During his remarks, Kelly emphasized that while the ports will work in unison, each district will maintain its individual strengths and flexibility.
At the heart of this collaborative effort is the Tri-Cities Intermodal facility, located at the Port of Walla Walla’s Dodd Road Industrial Park in Wallula. According to Kelly, the facility serves as a “working example” of how coordinated inland logistics can benefit the entire region by extending the reach of coastal seaports into Eastern Washington, providing shippers with efficient rail alternatives to traditional transport, and reducing traffic congestion and improving the reliability of the supply chain.
The facility is expected to create new opportunities for exporters, manufacturers, and distributors throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The alliance is already looking toward expansion. In December 2025, the Port of Walla Walla acquired 146 acres of land adjacent to the Tri-Cities Intermodal site. This acquisition is intended to scale the hub’s capabilities and further solidify Eastern Washington’s role as a critical link in the global supply chain.
Kelly concluded by thanking the partner ports for their commitment to the initiative, signaling a new era of regional cooperation for Washington’s trade industry.
From L to R: Port of Walla Walla Executive Director Pat Reay, Port of Tacoma Commission President Dick Marzano, Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins, Port of Benton Director of Governmental Affairs Cassie Losey, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Kip Kelly, and Port of Pasco Commissioner Hans Engelke (photo via NWSA)
