Hoquiam, WA – Governor Chris Gregoire joined Port of Grays Harbor officials, customers and community partners for the ribbon cutting ceremony of Marine Terminal 1. This former barge slip underwent a major upgrade to become a full size liquid bulk shipping terminal to handle the growing bulk cargoes moving through the Port of Grays Harbor. Washington’s deep-water port on the outer Pacific Coast has experienced record bulk cargo export volumes over the past two years, a trend that is expected to continue as a growing number of US companies invest in new facilities and storage in Grays Harbor.

The ribbon cutting ceremony on June 18, 2010 celebrated the additional capacity the liquid bulk terminal will bring to Washington State. Dry bulk exports of soybean meal and distiller dried grains (DDGS) have been competing for dock space with biodiesel products and liquid bulks since the opening of Imperium Grays Harbor and Westway Terminal Company’s respective Grays Harbor facilities.

“Our customers have invested more than $110 million in their own facilities over the past five years, we value their commitment to our community and want to provide the public infrastructure to facilitate their growth and success,” reported Gary Nelson, Port Executive Director. “The upgrade of Terminal 1 as a vessel handling berth will open up additional capacity at our dry bulk terminal for the growth of AGP.” AG Processing Inc announced plans earlier this year to construct storage facilities adjacent to their loading facility at Marine Terminal 2.

Funding for the upgrade was in partnership between the State of Washington Job Development Fund, Community Economic Revitalization Board, the primary shippers --Imperium Grays Harbor and Westway Terminal Company, and the Port of Grays Harbor.

The Port of Grays Harbor operates 4 deepwater marine terminals and hundreds of acres of marine industrial property. Only 1 1/2 vessel hours from open sea, Grays Harbor offers rail and highway access to markets throughout North America.