The Port of Bellingham has entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Bio-Fibre Manufactures Inc. (BFM) and DKoram Inc. to study the feasibility of exporting logs and bio-fuel materials from approximately 20 acres adjacent to the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. Under the terms of the agreement, the Port will not negotiate with any other forest product company for use of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal during a six month due diligence period. The Port is allowed to negotiate with non-forest product related companies.
“We believe there is significant market demand for exporting logs and bio-fuels from Whatcom County” DKoram lnc. General Manager Steve Grandorff said. The Bellingham Shipping Terminal is strategically located between the major cities of Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. and there are a number of both large and small suppliers of forest products in the surrounding area.” DKoram Inc. is a leading log exporter on the west coast of the United States.
“We will be offering tree farmers and local contractors an opportunity to sell any and all wood products to this facility” BFM CEO Dylan Sebel said. “BFM will focus on the production of biofuels and chips/pellets for domestic and overseas markets. We are excited to bring our business to the beautiful town of Bellingham and look forward to bringing employment to the area.”
"It is terrific to see the private market gaining interest in the Bellingham Shipping Terminal” Port Commission President Dan Robbins said. “The terminal has struggled to be competitive recently due to a lack of navigation depth and it’s no coincidence that more companies are interested now that we have started work on a dredging project which will increase the navigation depth of the terminal.”
American Construction is currently working on a cleanup project in the Whatcom Waterway which will increase the navigation depth at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal to -40 feet MLLW in the approach channel and -35 feet MLLW in the berthing area. The Port is also re-roofing a portion of the over 85,000 square feet of available covered storage space and budgeting for additional Shipping Terminal improvements in 2016 to include updating the electrical service and performing significant stormwater and paving upgrades.
“The Port is committed to modernizing the Bellingham Shipping Terminal to meet the needs of today’s break-bulk cargo operators” Port Director of Maritime Dan Stahl said. “With 1,250 feet of dock space, 40 acres of property and increased navigation depth, the Bellingham Shipping Terminal is ready to go to work.”
