The Port of Tacoma experienced its strongest year by cargo volume in the port's history in 2005.

Port of Tacoma Commission president Connie Bacon said Tacoma's growth was fuelled by expanded trans-Pacific trade and continued diversification of port of entry by shippers.

The port's cargo volumes last year included 2.07 million TEUs, up 15 per cent from 2004, 20.4 million short tons, up 8.3 per cent, 633,620 intermodal rail lifts, up 29.4 per cent, 6.97 million short tons of grain, up 4.2 per cent, 116,680 short tons of break-bulk cargo and 135,900 units of cars, down 13.6 per cent.

The port invested USD95 million in capital projects in 2005, highlighted by the opening of three new and renovated container terminals, Pierce County Terminal, Husky Terminal and Olympic Container Terminal.

Timothy J Farrel, the port's executive director, said it wasn't just expanded terminal capacity that spurred growth in container cargo.

"The port, our terminal operators, our partners, Tacoma Rail, the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway, stepped up with new operating efficiencies and infrastructure to handle a near 30 per cent increase in intermodal volume," he said.

"Our joint efforts continue and we're planning a 16 per cent growth in 2006," Farrel said.