PRESS RELEASE--December 19, 2006
Contact: Port of Longview: Marie Wise 360-425-3305
PORT OF LONGVIEW AND INTERNATIONAL SALT COMPANY SIGN LONG-TERM CONTRACT TO IMPORT SALT
Longview,Wash - The Port of Longview and International Salt Company (ISCO) of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, a K+S Company, recently commenced a seven-year contract to handle over 50,000 metric tons of salt annually.
The first shipment chartered by Empremar arrived at the Port of Longview on December 16, 2006 with 15,000 metric tons of salt on board the vessel IVS Nightingale. The salt was off-loaded by SSA Marine and ILWU Local 21 longshore labor at a record production rate of 5,000 metric tons a day.
The salt originates from ISCO’s parent company mine in Chile and will be utilized by Canadian paper making companies.
The newer single-decker bulker vessel utilized the ship’s eight cubic meter grabs to off-load the salt. The Port trucked the cargo into ISCO’s leased warehouse at the Port. General Steamship provided agency representation for the vessel.
ISCO has leased the Port’s 63,000 sq. ft. Warehouse #9 for the duration of the seven-year contract. The ILWU Local 21 longshore labor will load the salt into rail cars destined for ISCO’s customer Chemtrade, located in Prince George, British Columbia. The salt will be used in the process to bleach paper.
“We are thrilled to be on the West Coast. The entire process is an example of all the parties involved: ISCO, the Port, the ILWU and Chemtrade, working together for a common goal. All terminal activities were pre-planned in order to insure that the guidelines for a safe environmental operation were established. The unloading of the first vessel went very smoothly. We look forward to expanding our business in the future with the Port in other salt segments as well as expanding our long-term partnership with all the parties,” said Robert Jones, CEO, ISCO.
The Port of Longview, a niche port for breakbulk and bulk cargos has been steadily diversifying its cargo markets over the last 15 years.
“Working with International Salt Company and Chemtrade has brought a new dimension to bulk handling at the Port. ISCO has been very good to work with and provided sound environmental and operating guidelines as well as expertise for their salt operations,” said Gary Lindstrom, Director of Marketing, Portof Longview.
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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.
ABOUT THE PORT OF LONGVIEW
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 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, project and heavy-lift cargo.
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