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Economic and dam related articles

Port of Longview Profits,
Cargo Soar in First Quarter

by Marissa Luck
The Daily News, May 30, 2017

A Cowlitz County Sheriff grabs a union worker by the throat as police move in on several hundred union workers blocking a grain train in Longview, Wash., Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011 A surge in grain and potash exports in the first quarter helped more than double the Port of Longview's profits compared to the same time last year.

Net income hit $3.4 million in the first three months of the year, up from $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2016, the port reported Tuesday. While imports dipped, increased export activity more than made up for the loss. Overall cargo activity jumped 46 percent.

"This healthy volume of movement is a testament to our strong cargo-handling capabilities," Laurie Nelson-Cooley, business development manager, said in a press release. "Our diverse cargo portfolio allows us to remain productive throughout the year, whether that's in bulk, break bulk or heavy-lift cargoes."

Bulk agricultural products from the Export Grain Terminal jumped 50 percent. Corn and soybean exports rose by 387,000 metric tons and 220,000 metric tons, respectively.

A closure at Port of Portland's potash facility also sent an additional 100,000 metric tons of potash exports through Longview's docks. Exports of bulk chemicals hit 207,000 metric tons, a 13 percent increase.

Log exports continue to recover this year, jumping 46 percent from the same time last year. However, first quarter volumes are only about half of what they were in the first quarter of 2013, the year when the Chinese housing market significantly boosted log demand.

First-quarter results do not include shipments of wind turbines, which the port did not start handling this year until April.

For the rest of the year, the port expects an increase in project cargo, such as wind turbines, as well as continued gains in grain and other bulk commodities.

"It was very positive news," said Jeff Wilson, port commissioner, while reviewing the tonnage results at a recent commission meeting. "It looks to be a very exciting year to say the least."

Related Pages:
Union Protesters Arrested at Port of Longview, Washington by Teresa Carson, Reuters, 9/21/11
Two Arrested in Wake of Port Protest by Steve Brown, Capital Press, 9/15/11
Judge Holds Wash. Union in Contempt for Raid at Grain Terminal by Associated Press, Washington Post, 9/15/11
Longshore Workers Call for Anti-Racist Unity in Their Ranks by Cheryl LaBash, Workers World, 9/12/11
Judge Warns Union to Halt Illegal Tactics by Mike Baker, Capital Press, 9/10/11
Longview Port Protests Turn Violent by Staff, Portland Business Journal, 9/10/11
Port Dispute Worries Wheat Industry by Steve Brown, Capital Press, 9/9/11


Marissa Luck
Port of Longview Profits, Cargo Soar in First Quarter
The Daily News, May 30, 2017

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