Longview, Washington - The first trains are moving on the Port of Longview’s just completed Industrial Rail Corridor. Over 225,000 tons of soda ash will be loaded in January at the Port’s Berth 2 bulk facility operated by Kinder Morgan Terminals, Inc.
2,500 Union Pacific rail cars, each carrying approximately 90 metric tons of soda ash, will deliver the cargo to Berth 2 where it will be loaded at 1,200 tons per hour into eight bulk vessels. The rail cars are coupled into 100-car unit trains.
The Union Pacific Railroad is carrying the soda ash, produced in Green River, Wyoming, to the Port for the American Natural Soda Ash Corporation (ANSAC). The eight bulk vessels will be loaded at the Berth 2 bulk facility with approximately 30,000 tons of soda ash each before departing for Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia and New Zealand.
"We are excited to announce the opening of our new rail corridor," stated Dan Buell, President, Port of Longview Commission, at the January 11, 2005 Regular Commission Meeting. "This project is the culmination of over a decade of planning and construction by the Port."
For cargo shippers, the rail corridor provides direct access for unit trains, reduces switch yard handling and potential delays, adds additional storage for two unit trains, provides greater operational flexibility for Port operations and improves the dispatch of vessels loading bulk commodities.
"The operational efficiency that the rail corridor provides will improve bulk cargo opportunities at the Port of Longview," stated Kevin Jones, NW Regional Manager, Kinder Morgan Terminals, Inc. "In addition, the rail car storage that the rail corridor provides will entice customers to the Port."
The rail corridor has been the most significant infrastructure development undertaken by the Port in decades. It improves the connection between the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe and Union Pacific main-line railroads and the Port’s 300-acre industrial park and 150-acre marine terminal complex, creating a more efficient transportation network for the movement of cargo. Construction of the first phase of the project, a vehicular overpass at Fibre Way, was completed in 2002. Construction of the second phase, consisting of 3.2 miles of rail trackage, was built using the Port’s own labor forces and dedicated in 2004. The total cost of the project came to $21 million.
"Developing inland freight connections is essential to serving our customers and remaining competitive as a deep-water port," stated Ken O’Hollaren, Executive Director, Port of Longview. "We continue to expand our ability to handle diversified cargo as we complete new infrastructure projects, resulting in increased efficiencies that serve our customers better."
"The rail corridor is an important addition to the Port’s existing infrastructure," states Doug Averett, Director of Terminal Operations, Port of Longview. "The high volume of soda ash flowing into the Berth 2 facility during January provides an ideal opportunity to showcase the Port’s ability to handle unit trains. In addition, rail siding is available for customers to store unit trains while they wait for vessels to arrive."
According to Averett, the successful handling of the soda ash shipment is indicative of the Port’s ability to move cargo efficiently. "We anticipate that the rail corridor will generate increased efficiency in moving a variety of cargo for our customers, saving them money and generating jobs for the local economy."
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The Port of Longview is the first full-service operating port with strategic transportation connections on the deep-draft Columbia River shipping channel in southwest Washington State. The Port is located just 66 river miles from the Pacific Ocean, 120 driving miles from Seattle, Washington and 40 driving miles from Portland, Oregon. Port facilities include eight marine terminals and 300 acres of available industrial property with direct connections to main-line rail and interstate highway. Cargo handling specialties include all types of bulk cargos and breakbulk commodities such as steel, lumber, logs, pulp, paper and project cargo. More information is available on the Port’s website at www.portoflongview.com.
For further information regarding information contained in this press release contact Communications/Public Affairs, 360-425-3305. |
| Soda ash is loaded at the Berth 2 bulk facility |
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