Representatives from the ports of Benton, Pasco and Walla Walla signed an agreement Feb. 5 in Olympia with the ports of Seattle and Tacoma to leverage the Tri-Cities’ strategic location and resources to ease trade with the global market.  

The interlocal agreement will establish the Inland Logistics Hub in the Tri-Cities that will connect directly with the marine terminals of the Northwest Seaport Alliance.  

“This concept represents a strong partnership that could dramatically expand the movement of import and export goods across the state and the globe,” said Port of Pasco Commissioner Hans Engelke during the signing ceremony. 

The ports said the agreement will drive economic development and job creation across the state, improve access to the global market for agricultural and industrial products, ease truck congestion in the Puget Sound area and improve shipping efficiency.  

“This interlocal agreement represents a significant step toward creating lasting benefits for our community and the entire region,” said Port of Benton Interim Executive Director Ron Branine in a statement. “By working together, we can strengthen supply chains, attract new investments and deliver economic opportunities that will positively impact families and businesses across Washington state.” 

A December memo to the Port of Pasco commissioners from Executive Director Adam Lincoln said the agreement will formalize the creation of a working group that will coordinate planning, marketing and pursuit of grant and other funding opportunities. The agreement does not commit any of the ports to capital investments and any future project commitments would have to be approved by all the ports involved. 

“Commission and staff have previously discussed the strategic opportunity to position the Tri-Cities as an inland extension of the NWSA gateway, leveraging our barge, rail, highway, and industrial land assets,” Lincoln wrote in his memo. 

Port of Walla Walla officials said the agreement builds on an already strong relationship with the Northwest Seaport Alliance. Walla Walla’s port director said the logistics hub would support growth at the existing Tri-Cities Intermodal facility, located within the Walla Walla port’s Dodd Road Industrial Park. 

10:30 a.m. 2/6/2026: This story was updated with information from the signing ceremony establishing the Inland Logistics Hub.