Local union and shipping officials were at the Port of Tacoma Monday to mark a significant milestone in local history. On Sept. 19, 1897, the first NYK Line vessel, the Kyoto Mara, sailed into Commencement Bay, according to a post on the Port of Tacoma’s Facebook page. International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 23 President Scott Mason (second from left) presented NYK Line (North America) President Bill Payne (second from right) with a historical photo of the ship’s first visit. NYK Line is part of the Port’s Grand Alliance, a consortium that also includes Hapag-Lloyd, Orient Overseas Container Line, and associated carrier ZIM Integrated Shipping. The Grand Alliance makes its calls to the Port’s Washington United Terminals, which opened in July.