HMM has announced a major investment in Washington United Terminals that will increase the terminal's annual cargo-handling capacity by nearly half, Port Technology International reported on 20 August 2026.

The South Korean shipping line said the enhancements will raise Washington United Terminals' annual capacity from roughly 590,000 TEUs to about 880,000 TEUs, an increase of nearly 50 per cent. The investment is described as targeting both capacity and operational efficiency at the Seattle-Tacoma gateway.

Equipment renewal forms the centrepiece of the work. HMM will replace two ageing quay cranes and add two rubber-tyred gantry cranes, measures the report links directly to higher throughput potential and faster yard moves.

Port Technology International reported the changes as part of HMM's wider strategy to bolster its network performance in North America. The announcement does not disclose a monetary figure for the investment, nor does it give a specific completion date.

Industry observers will note that the upgrade focuses on handling capability rather than new terminal acreage or berth works. Replacing quay cranes and adding RTGs typically shortens vessel turnaround and improves yard productivity, supporting larger annual TEU throughput without expanding the terminal footprint.

The upgrade also signals continued carrier interest in strengthening assets at key U.S. west coast gateways. Port Technology International framed the investment as intended to improve terminal efficiency and support growing cargo volumes handled through the Seattle-Tacoma corridor.

Equipment changes

The confirmed equipment changes are limited to the two quay cranes being replaced and the addition of two rubber-tyred gantry cranes. No crane models or suppliers were named in the report.

Those two measures are the only operational details published in the Port Technology International account. The report lists the capacity figures before and after the changes but does not include further technical specifications.

Capacity uplift and implications

The terminal's reported increase from about 590,000 TEUs to 880,000 TEUs amounts to an uplift of nearly 50 per cent in annual handling capability, according to the source. HMM presented the investment as intended to reduce bottlenecks and raise handling performance across the terminal's operations.

How the uplift will distribute across vessel calls, peak-season surges or regional trade lanes was not described in the account published on 20 August 2026. The announcement leaves open how much of the capacity increase depends on improved crane productivity versus yard reshuffling and process changes.

Key factual points

  • Current annual capacity (reported): approximately 590,000 TEUs.
  • Projected annual capacity (reported): approximately 880,000 TEUs.
  • Equipment changes: replacement of two quay cranes and addition of two rubber-tyred gantry cranes.

Port Technology International carried the item in its news feed on 20 August 2026. The report presents HMM's investment as a targeted enhancement to Washington United Terminals' cargo-handling capability at the Seattle-Tacoma terminal, without disclosing financial details, suppliers or a timeline for delivery.