The ports of Seattle and Tacoma are poised to do something historic next week: stop fighting and start working together. Taxpayers should be pleased.

Each port is countywide, in King and Pierce, respectively. Each receives taxpayer support. By working together through this new alliance, not only will they offer more options to shipping companies, but also make better use of they money they have been spending to take customers away from each other.

As Stephanie Bowman, co-president of the Port of Seattle Commission, put it: “Instead of competing against one another, we are combining our strengths to create the strongest maritime gateway in North America.”

Ports around the U.S. are becoming more and more competitive as they seek to pry shipping companies away from one another. By combining the advantages of Seattle and Tacoma — just 30 miles apart — the ports can offer more of a one-stop shopping for shipping companies. That should increase — or at least hold on to — the shipping business they now have.

The two port commissions are expected to vote on the alliance next week. It should be an easy “yes” vote for both.

— Craig Groshart, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter