PRESS RELEASE - April 24, 2006

Contact:

Port of Longview: Marie Wise, Communications/Public Affairs Manager
360-425-3305

MedBulk Ships Begin Calling at Port of Longview

MedBulk Maritime Limited began shipping wood pulp through the Port of Longview early this year. The shipper is part of the d’Amico Group, an Italian company specializing in the transport of forest products, steel and breakbulk cargos from the West Coast of North America to the Mediterranean.

For the Port, the business means approximately 30,000 tons of wood pulp will be loaded onto a dozen MedBulk vessels annually. Wood pulp arrives by truck from Pope & Talbot’s Halsey, Oregon pulp mill. Last week the Cielo di Monfalcone, MedBulk’s third vessel to call at the Port this year, was loaded with 3,000 tons of wood pulp and departed to sail down the West Coast, through the Panama Canal, across the Atlantic and past the Rock of Gibralter to Italy for delivery to Italian paper factories.

"We see this as the beginning of a long relationship," said Capt. Michele LaPica, a representative for MedBulk, at a ceremony held by the Port to honor the new business. Port of Longview Commission President Walt Barham presented a special plaque to the Cielo di Monfalcone’s Captain, Corrado Dodero, while attendees watched wood pulp being loaded into the ship’s holds.

The new business has potential for steel shipments through the Port in the future. MedBulk ships sailing back to Longview with empty holds travel eastward across the Pacific Ocean–a route that might prove beneficial for steel shipments.

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PORT OF LONGVIEW MISSION To provide expansion and development of foreign and domestic trade, to encourage commercial and industrial development, and to enhance waterfront recreational activities for the economic benefit of the citizens of the Port District.

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 waterfront 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.