On April 7, a historic milestone was reached at the Port of Everett Seaport as the first cargo ship to call the Port of Everett’s newly modernized South Terminal arrived in port.
The M/V Westwood Columbia docked at the Port’s new full-service berth to offload a variety of cargo ranging from oversized aerospace components (including parts for the new 777X), containers, consumer goods and a range of breakbulk product including machines and industrial pipe.
“This momentous occasion brings years of planning and $57 million in strategic capital investment to fruition,” Port of Everett Chief Operating Officer Carl Wollebek said. “This new terminal allows us to market our facilities to larger ships and heavier cargoes to keep our region competitive and support the Port’s cargo diversification and economic recovery efforts.”
“As the largest shipping line servicing the Port of Everett, having the upgraded South Terminal now available is only going to enhance the opportunities for Westwood Shipping Lines to bring in bigger product and more business to Everett,” said Captain Mike Ross, Vice President of Marine Operations and Vessel Safety with Westwood Shipping Lines. “We look forward to growing our business relationship with the Port of Everett, and being able to offer the increased crane capacity is certainly going to open up more business opportunities for both of us.”
Earlier this year, the Port of Everett, project partners and local leaders celebrated the completion of the South Terminal in a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This $57 million critical maritime infrastructure project was supported by dozens of businesses, educational institutions and public agencies in our region, and was made possible thanks to $22 million in various Department of Transportation grants and loans, including the federal TIGER and FAST LANE grant programs championed by Snohomish County’s federal delegation, and the Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan program.
The Port broke ground on the South Terminal wharf strengthening (phase 2) project back in 2018, and at that time, it was the largest maritime construction project underway on the U.S. West Coast.
The project completed strengthening of the 700-foot South Terminal wharf, acquired and relocated two Post-Panamax container cranes from the Port of Los Angeles to the dock, and upgraded dock electrical to support future shore power to allow ships to plug in and reduce emissions. Earlier work included on-dock rail upgrades, totaling $8 million to support the modernized facility.
