Numerous federal, regional and local officials participated in a ceremony to formally commemorate the opening of the port’s new EGT grain terminal at the Port of Longview July 9, a venture which had a cloudy future just a few months ago.
“This is the single largest capital investment that’s ever been made in Longview. It really puts us back in the grain trade in a very big way,” port Executive Director Ken O’Holleran said during the ceremony.
Up until January of this year, a prolonged labor dispute was ongoing between EGT and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 21, stemming from the company using the services of a union other than the ILWU at the Berth 9 terminal, which is a $200 million joint venture between Bunge Ltd, ITOCHU International and STX Pan Ocean.
But on Jan. 27, the port’s three-member commission ratified a settlement giving the ILWU control over the grain handling union jobs.
Berth 9 was the first export grain terminal built in the United States in more than 25 years. EGT spokesman Matthew Beck has previously said the company expects to load 150 to 200 ships annually bound for Asia.
The new grain terminal could quadruple the tonnage of cargo that passes through Longview, according to port officials.
Although this was the official dedication, the terminal actually opened in February with the arrival of the grain ship Full Sources, which is owned by STX Pan Ocean.
