UNITED HARVEST GRAIN ELEVATOR RESUMES OPERATIONS AT PORT OF VANCOUVER USA
Vancouver, Wash. -- Just in time for the peak harvest season, operations have resumed at the United Harvest grain elevator at Port of Vancouver, USA. The M/V Idas Bulker was the first ship to load as the facility resumed operations this week, taking on 21,000 metric tons of wheat. Next in line was the M/V Bel Pareil which received 48,000 metric tons of wheat. Both carriers are bound for Korea.
The elevator, one of the largest on the West Coast, has been shutdown for repairs since late May following explosions in two dust collector bins which caused an estimated $5 million damage. No one was injured by the blasts, but a small concrete storage tank through which grain passes before being loaded onto a ship had to be demolished and replaced along with some damaged machinery.
Fortunately, the disruption came during a traditional lull period in the grain distribution cycle. Terminals in Pacific Northwest were able to handle United Harvest’s diverted traffic over the summer. Nearly 5 million metric tons of goods move across the docks at the Port of Vancouver annually, with United Harvest’s operation accounting for about 70% of the total. “We are glad to be back in operations,” said Gary Schuld, president of United Harvest. “I would like to thank all those involved in expediting the repairs.”
To date, 310 ships have called the Port for 2005, down slightly from 334 for the same period in 2004. The closure at the grain facility has contributed to the decrease, however, a 9% increase in ship calls non-related to wheat exports has helped make up the difference.
The Columbia/Snake River system is our nation’s largest wheat export gateway (39%) and 25% of all the world’s wheat flows through Columbia River ports. It is the 2nd largest export hub on the West Coast for all types of cargo.
The United Harvest grain elevator annually handles 16% of U.S. wheat exports which supply more than 40 countries on five continents. Soft white wheat from the Pacific Northwest region supplies 85% of the U.S. yield with 85% of the NW wheat exports going to Asian countries.
According to marine cargo forecasts from the Washington Public Ports Association, those numbers are expected to double over the next 20 years. With a significant portion of wheat arriving at the Port of Vancouver by rail, about 70%, Port officials have begun working in earnest on plans to expand rail capacity serving their facility.
Almost 26,000 rail cars deliver wheat to the United Harvest annually, with an additional 3,300 cars bringing grain to the adjacent Great Western Malting facility. These two operations account for 75% of the rail traffic to the Port. If grain exports double as projected, it would mean a significant increase in freight rail traffic to the Port and through the Vancouver rail corridor, which is a major transportation hub where both north-south and east-west rail lines intersect.
The Port is proposing construction of an expanded rail system for its facilities and a new access from BNSF lines into the Port in order to minimize delays for freight rail carriers. The Port’s Economic Development plan could generate an additional 3,000 to 5,000 local jobs as a result of increases in maritime and industrial business for the community.
Port of Vancouver USA
UNITED HARVEST GRAIN ELEVATOR RESUMES OPERATIONS AT PORT OF VANCOUVER USA
Vancouver, Wash. -- Just in time for the peak harvest season, operations have resumed at the United Harvest grain elevator at Port of Vancouver, USA. The M/V Idas Bulker was the first ship to load as the facility resumed operations this week, taking on 21,000 metric tons of wheat. Next in line was the M/V Bel Pareil which received 48,000 metric tons of wheat. Both carriers are bound for Korea.
The elevator, one of the largest on the West Coast, has been shutdown for repairs since late May following explosions in two dust collector bins which caused an estimated $5 million damage. No one was injured by the blasts, but a small concrete storage tank through which grain passes before being loaded onto a ship had to be demolished and replaced along with some damaged machinery.
Fortunately, the disruption came during a traditional lull period in the grain distribution cycle. Terminals in Pacific Northwest were able to handle United Harvest’s diverted traffic over the summer. Nearly 5 million metric tons of goods move across the docks at the Port of Vancouver annually, with United Harvest’s operation accounting for about 70% of the total. “We are glad to be back in operations,” said Gary Schuld, president of United Harvest. “I would like to thank all those involved in expediting the repairs.”
To date, 310 ships have called the Port for 2005, down slightly from 334 for the same period in 2004. The closure at the grain facility has contributed to the decrease, however, a 9% increase in ship calls non-related to wheat exports has helped make up the difference.
The Columbia/Snake River system is our nation’s largest wheat export gateway (39%) and 25% of all the world’s wheat flows through Columbia River ports. It is the 2nd largest export hub on the West Coast for all types of cargo.
The United Harvest grain elevator annually handles 16% of U.S. wheat exports which supply more than 40 countries on five continents. Soft white wheat from the Pacific Northwest region supplies 85% of the U.S. yield with 85% of the NW wheat exports going to Asian countries.
According to marine cargo forecasts from the Washington Public Ports Association, those numbers are expected to double over the next 20 years. With a significant portion of wheat arriving at the Port of Vancouver by rail, about 70%, Port officials have begun working in earnest on plans to expand rail capacity serving their facility.
Almost 26,000 rail cars deliver wheat to the United Harvest annually, with an additional 3,300 cars bringing grain to the adjacent Great Western Malting facility. These two operations account for 75% of the rail traffic to the Port. If grain exports double as projected, it would mean a significant increase in freight rail traffic to the Port and through the Vancouver rail corridor, which is a major transportation hub where both north-south and east-west rail lines intersect.
The Port is proposing construction of an expanded rail system for its facilities and a new access from BNSF lines into the Port in order to minimize delays for freight rail carriers. The Port’s Economic Development plan could generate an additional 3,000 to 5,000 local jobs as a result of increases in maritime and industrial business for the community.
For more information, please visit:
https://edir.bulk-online.com/oldedirredirect/200119.htm
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