EVERETT – The ports of Everett and Hiroshima are expected to approve a global trading pact today aimed at increasing direct shipping service between the two communities.
The two ports have worked together for many years. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries makes parts for the Boeing Co.’s 777 in Hiroshima, but they have often been shipped to Tacoma and then barged to Everett.
The two communities typically have about one direct shipment a month.
The agreement, described as “critical” by Yuzan Fujita, governor of the Hiroshima prefecture, follows a $300 million expansion of the Japanese port.
He wants to establish a trunk line or transpacific line to Everett.
Fujita said Hiroshima only handles about 50 percent of its own exports and he would like it handle 100 percent of them.
“This agreement is just another step in our efforts to build a global network through which we can convey the features of Hiroshima Prefecture and encourage the inflow of people, goods and information to our community,” Fujita said.
He is expected to sign the agreement tonight at an event at the Future of Flight Museum in Everett.
Everett port commissioners endorsed the agreement Tuesday. Commissioner Don Hopkins is expected to sign the agreement tonight also.
In addition to promoting its partner, the ports have also agreed to have their respective chambers of commerce work together on local, national and international levels.
Chambers are a slightly different organization in Japan and typically have more influence in directing the local economy.
Makoto Uda, chairman of the Hiroshima chamber and the former president of the Bank of Hiroshima, said he plans to embark on a business survey.
“From our side we will be visiting the local companies to research where their needs are for using Everett,” he said. “We can inform the Everett chamber and exchange information. This is more than a friendly cooperation. This is serious business.”
The agreement is the first of its kind with the Everett port. Hiroshima already has a sister port agreement with the Port of Wellington in New Zealand.
Gov. Fujita said his region has a diverse group of businesses, including a company that produced all the soccer balls for the World Cup and companies that make Mazda cars and Boeing engine shafts.
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