The latest edition of the Port of Tacoma’s award-winning Pacific Gateway magazine is now available online.

This edition focuses on innovation at the Port, past and present. The stories include:

— While the Port’s containerized business regularly gets the media spotlight, the growth of the Port’s breakbulk and specialty cargo business is profiled in “Thinking Outside the Box.”

— A story by waterfront historian Ron Magden tells a longshoreman’s story of loading the Asa Lothrop on a rainy October morning in 1949. “There was no brass band, no VIPs and no fancy ribbon to cut,” but it represented the first container handled in Tacoma.

— More innovation was demonstrated a decade ago, as Port maintenance employees devised a practical solution to a common challenge with container cranes. That solution has since become a worldwide standard.

— Another story tells a story about how long-term vision four decades ago is resulting in economic development today at the Port’s Frederickson Industrial Area.

— An article titled “Keeping it Fresh” profiles Tacoma’s Supervalu International and its growth from a four-person company to a leading importer/exporter that serves 4,000 grocery stores.

— Finally, each step of security between Asia and the United States is illustrated in a graphics-based article titled, “From There to Here.”

Recent editions of Pacific Gateway, along with other publications, such as Port of Tacoma Annual Reports, are also available online. Visit the “Publications” section of the Port’s Web site for links. Port publications are available at no charge with free home or office delivery. An order form is also available on the Port’s Web site.

To view a PDF file of the new magazine, visit http://www.portoftacoma.com/files/SpGate06-final.pdf .