Mediterranean Shipping Company, the second largest operator of container ships and one of the fastest-growing maritime transportation companies in the world will begin calling at the Port of Seattle next year.

"We're thrilled that Mediterranean Shipping will be in our harbor," said Port President Patricia Davis. "The arrival of this very dynamic company brings a new shipping line to the Puget Sound region and builds on the growth in container volumes we've experienced in recent years."

Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping has experienced dramatic growth in recent years. The number of vessels the company operates increased from 140 in 2000 to 278 in 2005. Mediterranean Shipping's container volume grew from about 2.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2000 to 6.5 million TEU's in 2005.

"Beginning direct service to Seattle will help us continue to grow and provide better service to our customers," said Matt Wypyski, owner's representative for Mediterranean Shipping.

Mediterranean Shipping's ships will begin calling at Terminal 18 on Harbor Island in 2007. The facility is leased and operated by Seattle-based SSA Terminals. Mediterranean Shipping tentatively plans to move to Terminal 30 in 2008. The move is dependent upon Port Commission approval and completion of a project to return Terminal 30 to use as a container handling facility under lease to SSA. The two berth cruise terminal currently located at Terminal 30 would be moved to Pier 91 under the proposal.

"The goal of the project is to maximize use of our maritime facilities and to capture some of the ongoing growth in the transpacific container trade," Davis said.

The Port expects Mediterranean Shipping to move 221,000 container TEUs through Seattle in 2007, generating more than 300 local jobs.

"Those figures are expected to grow as Mediterranean Shipping increases its presence here," said Port of Seattle CEO Mic Dinsmore.