I (still) love those sights also (which might because I don't live near a harbour regularly).
However, Hamburg, the biggest harbour in Germany has a serious issue with the growth of the ships. The Elbe river is not deep enough.
Also, ship transport has been or still is something gambling-like for people wanting to invest and get money in return. But the staff meanwhile costs too much to employ German personnel. That's the end of seafarer romantic. :(
The port of Tacoma is growing regularly in large part due to its deep water access, as well as the ground transportation infrastructure that is so immediately available with rail and highway access so easy.