Port of Seattle and area political officials welcomed back to Seattle U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Friday, May 15, to dedicate the newly configured facility at Terminal 30.

Officials from China Shipping, SSA Marine, and Matson Navigation also appeared. The project was a joint effort between those companies and the Port. The Port invested nearly $50 million in the 70-acre (hectares) facility with two container ship berths. In a joint venture, China Shipping, Matson, and SSA Marine will operate the terminal under a long-term agreement signed in 2007 on Shanghai.

The program included remarks, ribbon cutting, and a lunch. Port Chief Executive Officer Tay Yoshitani hosted.

Speakers included Port Commissioner Bill Bryant, China Shipping Group President Li Shaode, SSA Marine president Jon Hemingway, Matson Navigation West Coast Vice President Bal Dreyfus and Gary Locke.

Locke was Washington's governor 1997-2004 and was tapped by President Obama for United States Secretary of Commerce.

"Seattle and China (have had a ) long history of cooperation," said Bryant. "In 1905 while Seattle was distracted with the Yukon Gold Rush, the first (cargo) ship arrived here from China. Today, we celebrate another milestone, this new container terminal."

"This is China Shipping Group 's 12th year of China Shipping, here," said Shaode. "On Dec. 3, 1999, it made its first call at Port of Seattle. Today a joint venture terminal was granted here. SSA Port of Seattle. The opening (...) will push our cooperation to a new high, and we will work together to enhance cooperation with railways here to supply quality service to our customers. We wish all of you prosperity and happiness."

"I am particularly proud of our work with China Shipping and Port of Seattle officials (...) and the vision they had at a time in our economy when a lot of people are pulling back from risk and personal challenge," said Hemingway.

"This project is the fruition of many labors of many people," said Locke. "This newly configured terminal will enable China Shipping to expand container service here for import and export customers. Already, tens of thousands of family wage jobs, billions in business and tax revenue have been created at the port. Construction work on Pier 30 alone created 600 jobs, this will create 500 new jobs while supporting many other workers in related industries.

"We must resist the temptation to turn inward, and resist efforts toward protectionism," the former governor added. "Trade creates jobs. One in four jobs in Seattle is tied to trade, both imports and exports. Trade can speed delivery of transformative ideas and technology and hasten the spread of democracy and freedom around the world.

"These ships come to port full must leave full. Increasing our exports to China is the best way to address trade imbalance. This presents America with great oportunites to sell more made-in-America goods to China, like machinery, processed foods, airplanes and automobiles. We have so much to offer people to China and all around the world. These are win-win situations that trade can bring."