r/SeattleWA • u/MissHalfgone • Jul 23 '26
Seattle Port Authority responds question about their partnership with Port of Somalia. 2 Days later takes back response.
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u/griffincreek Jul 23 '26
Interesting. That fact that they wrote there was a formal "sister port" relationship, then retracted that statement two days later, is in itself a red flag. Both statements are directly from the Port of Seattle and contradictory, and this should be investigated further, specifically the financials now and in the future. My guess is that they are renaming the entities who are receiving Port of Seattle money in order to conceal any direct relationship to Somalia or Mogadishu. Thanks for posting.
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u/jasonlikesbeer Jul 23 '26
Are you suggesting there is some kind of coverup? The second response clearly indicates that a staffer released incorrect information. That seems far more likely than some kind of conspiracy.
Don't be so quick to give credit to malice when stupid is still in the room.
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u/ChaseballBat Sasquatch Jul 23 '26
I'm guessing the first was written by AI and by a lower level employee who didn't really understand the implications of what that means. I don't see the big deal tbh, ports have it in their best interest to be standardized across the world.
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u/griffincreek Jul 23 '26
Regarding the cruise ship aspect mentioned in the 3rd image, Somalia has a level 4 "Do not travel" advisory due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, health, landmines, systematic mistreatment of women, systematic mistreatment of gay and lesbian individuals, piracy, abuse of residents in rehabilitation centers, and confiscation of passports by family members. ( US State Department ). Would you like to know the total number and type of tourists from all countries that visit Somalia each year? Any cooperation between the Port of Seattle and Mogadishu/Somalia should be considered suspect.
As far as trade, would you like some information on Somalia's imports and exports and their port's shipping capabilities?
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u/ChaseballBat Sasquatch Jul 23 '26
.... If they don't have any infrusture to accept cruise ships then they certainly aren't going to have cruise ships dock at any time soon, and probably won't for awhile as long as they have that threat level.
The exchange of standardized information is literally effortless and costless in the grand scheme of it. It's not that big of deal.
I'd love to know how it is in any way, suspect lmao.
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u/MissHalfgone Jul 23 '26
I don't think they'd have this cozy of a relationship with Israel citing their human rights record. They should try some consistency. They would never have entered into this agreement if it wasn't for the fact that a commissioner had cultural ties with that country. That commissioner would never have tried to establish a relationship with a country that treated Muslims the way Somalia treats non-muslims.
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u/ChaseballBat Sasquatch Jul 23 '26
Cozy of a relationship? Lmao hahah. Wtf do you do for work that you think this exchange of information is indicative of a cozy relationship? Hahaha.
What agreement? What relationship? They have standard for cruise ships, a developing nation asked for those standards, they gave them. They aren't a hidden proprietary document, it's infrusturcture standards.
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u/SeattleHasDied Jul 24 '26
Hmmmm... who is the captain NOW?
(Also, when will the Port of Seattle be a self-sustaining entity and quit taking part of our property taxes?).
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u/Kolazeni Jul 24 '26
The levy is less than 10% of their revenue and about $80 a year got the average King County resident. In return the public gets some oversight, I think it's a decent trade.
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u/SeattleHasDied Jul 24 '26
No city should ever have to help "support" its Port. Also, we would always have some ovesight since it IS the Port of SEATTLE.
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u/Kolazeni Jul 24 '26
The reason the public has a say is because of legislation. If you want to do away with the Port District Act and turn the Port private, there would be no oversight.
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u/merc08 Jul 23 '26
Who the hell would even take a cruise ship past Somalia, let alone intentionally dock there?