The Port of Everett Commission recently authorized staff to solicit construction bids for the Port’s South Terminal Modernization project. 

This marks a major milestone in the Port Commission’s effort to realize its top strategic initiative to modernize the Seaport. This capital improvement project, combined with the double rail siding that is currently under construction, will ensure the Port’s facilities are ready to support the next generation of over-dimensional cargo, including aerospace parts for the new 777X coming on line in late-2018.  

The South Terminal facility is a key piece of this modernization effort. The dock was originally built in the 1970s for log operations, and in its current state, can only accommodate 500 pounds per square foot (psf).  Modern cargo operations require a minimum of 1,000 psf. The $36 million South Terminal Modernization Project (Phase II) strengthens the remaining 560-feet of the 700-foot South Terminal dock structure (140-feet was strengthened as part of Phase I in 2015), and makes electrical upgrades at the wharf. 

Upon completion, the dock will be able to accommodate two, 100-foot gauge rail-mounted container cranes and provide the vaults for shorepower (see conceptual image).

 

 

 

The bid package is expected to hit the street in late-November 2017. Construction is anticipated to begin in April 2018 and last thru December 2019. 

"This is a bold and momentous step toward the goal that the Port Commission set forward nearly two years ago to modernize its Seaport to support the industry shipping trends," Port of Everett CEO Les Reardanz said. "This is the largest capital project the Port has undertaken since the construction of Mount Baker Terminal in 2005."

The South Terminal project has gained support at both the state and federal level, successfully receiving $22 million in funding to off-set project costs. These funding programs are extremely valuable for reinvesting in our nation’s transportation infrastructure, and include: 

• $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant
• $1.8 million Local FASTLANE Grant
• $5 million State Rail Bank Loan
• $5.2 million Rail Rehabilitation Innovation Financing (RRIF)

 

The Port of South Louisiana has committed $9.5 million to build a railroad for Dow St. Charles capable of handling 250 rail cars.

Port Executive Director Paul Aucoin announced the rail project as part of his annual report to the Parish Council at a recent meeting. The port is providing the property, and railroad for the project that is just east of Dow, which Dow will lease from the port.

Aucoin said the project is in the engineering phase and they were meeting with Dow engineers to work out drainage issues. Overall, the port continues to grow in its three parish of St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James. Aucoin also praised his 9-member commission, which includes three St. Charles Parish members.

"We have a lot of room for growth, which means again – jobs," he said.

The port, which represents 54 miles of the Mississippi River, includes 33 crude oil pipelines and 159 natural pipelines. Aucoin said this is important as new pipelines are coming to the facility and also will support growth.

The facility also includes four oil major refineries, including Shell in Norco and Valero St. Charles, as well as seven grain elevators, including ADM locations in Destrehan and Ama and Bunge North American.

Aucoin said pipelines are playing a larger role at the port with the approaching Dakota access pipeline, as well as the Bayou Bridge pipeline project.

The port’s Globalplex Intermodal Terminal is a 177,000 square-foot facility handling bulk cargo. Aucoin said [the] 130-acre certified site is still available.

Aucoin also noted the port’s top rankings, including ranking No. 1 in the Western Hemisphere for largest tonnage. As of 2016, the port handled 294 million short tons among 4,578 vessels and 59,780 barges. The port handled more than $57 billion in exports and more than $26 billion in imports.