Business Transactions: Everett, Nanaimo, Vancouver USA

Swire Shipping will begin calling the Port of Everett in mid-December, providing direct breakbulk service every 33 days to Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.

Headquartered in Singapore, Swire Shipping is the liner trades division of The China Navigation Company and a provider of shipping services across Asia and the South Pacific.

Swire’s West Coast North America Service operates two 31,000 ton deadweight multi-purpose "S" Class vessels. The vessels were built in 2013 and offer capacity for 2,000 TEUs, including 150 reefer containers. The ships are each fitted with four 60 metric ton deck cranes (combinable to 110-metric ton lift capacity). Swire will handled a range of general cargoes, such as steel coil and plate, timber, boats, project cargos, containers, aluminum products, trucks, motor homes and rolling machinery.

The full itinerary includes port calls at Port Metro Vancouver (BC), Everett, Vancouver USA, Los Angeles, Suva (Fiji), Brisbane (Australia), Port Kembla (Australia), Geelong (Australia) and Tauranga (New Zealand), with onward connections across the South Pacific. The carrier’s first scheduled Everett call is M/V Siangtan on December 13-14.

The Port of Everett has recently invested in a 150-ton capacity mobile harbor crane that complements its existing 100-ton capacity crane offering tandem lifts up to 250 metric tons.

"We look forward to partnering and growing the trade with Swire Shipping’s service between the West Coast and South Pacific," said the Carl Wollebek, the port’s chief operating officer. "We believe our road and BNSF rail connections coupled with the port’s investment in facilities and equipment will enhance Swire’s service offerings. We are very pleased that Swire has chosen to call the Port of Everett."

Nanaimo: Major Tenant Announced for Duke Point Terminal

The Nanaimo Port Authority has added an important new tenant to its Duke Point operation. ABC Recycling Ltd. is a Canadian family enterprise that serves and supports local communities through the recovery, processing and recycling of scrap metal.

"Our business has evolved over the past century and continues to grow in local and emerging markets globally," said its CEO, David Yochlowitz. "We continually invest tremendous time and resources in creating partnerships within the communities where we conduct business. The Nanaimo Port Authority’s Duke Point Terminal serves as an ideal logistics gateway to the global recycling market."

Located in a port-owned industrial park, the Duke Point Terminal features a single 170 meter/558-foot berth with alongside depth of 13.5 meters/44 feet, six hectares/15 acres of paved storage and a 40 metric-ton capacity container handling crane. The terminal is currently used for exports, container handling, kaolin and salt discharge, fuel transfers, and project cargo.

"We are very excited to have ABC Recycling choose Nanaimo for its new expansion and operation," said Port Authority CEO Bernie Dumas. "Sustainable economic benefits will be achieved for Vancouver Island, the City of Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Port Authority through incremental job creation and additional cargo throughput on barges and deep sea vessels."

Nanaimo Port Authority’s Duke Point operation.
Photo/Nanaimo Port Authority

Northwest Packing Co. Will Remain at Port of Vancouver USA

After more than three years of negotiations, the Port of Vancouver USA and Northwest Packing Co. have agreed on terms and conditions necessary to extend the company’s lease for an additional 25 years.

"We couldn’t be more pleased," said port CEO Todd Coleman. "Northwest Packing has operated at the port for more than 40 years and provides a significant number of jobs for our community. Our goal throughout negotiations was to reach an agreement that worked for both parties, and it looks like that’s where we’ve landed."

Northwest Packing’s current lease, which dates back to 1987, was up for renewal in 2011. The lease stipulates that, if the company chose to renew, the port would adjust rent to fair market value. The port extended the lease to December 31, 2014, to give Northwest Packing a chance to evaluate its needs and both parties time to discuss options.

"It wasn’t an easy process, but we appreciate the port’s willingness to work through the tough issues," said Northwest Packing CFO Jim McGovern. "We’re pleased that we’ve been able to reach agreement and keep our business and employees here in Vancouver."

Northwest Packing is one of only three major fruit packers in the Pacific Northwest. Both parties have been very concerned with keeping the company in Vancouver, not only for the hundreds of people it employs in the community, but also for those connected to the business in other ways.

"This agreement certainly helps provide some long-term stability for the company and its employees," said Mr. Coleman. "But it’s also good news for the other folks in Northwest Packing’s supply chain – like truckers, fruit growers and consumers – who depend on this business."

Northwest Packing’s lease is expected to go before the port’s Board of Commissioners for approval before the end of this year.

Workers processing fruit at Vancouver Port tenant Northwest Packing Co. plant.
Photo/Port of Vancouver USA

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