Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Port of Everett Receives Ro/Ro Facility Grant

The Port of Everett has received a $1.5 million grant from the State of Washington to help complete the second phase of its roll-on/roll-off cargo (Ro/Ro) facility, a project expected to allow the port to accommodate the largest Ro/Ro ships in the world.

With the funding, the port will be able to begin the second phase of a project that strengthens the dock for loading and unloading cargo. The port is also rebuilding the rail spur on the terminal with the help of a state rail bank loan.

The project’s initial phase enhanced the existing dolphin berth to handle larger ships.

The port says Ro/Ro capabilities are critical to maintaining its ability to meet the shipping needs of the local aerospace industry and nearby military installation. Gov. Jay Inslee recently implemented a strategy to ensure the Boeing 777X aircraft is assembled in Washington state; among the list of strategies was the investment in the port’s Ro/Ro dock.

“Our ability to support the aerospace logistics chain will be greatly enhanced with state funding for this project,” Port of Everett Executive Director John Mohr said.

Gov. Inslee, in supporting the grant, said that the funding would help the port “boost efficiency and add capacity at the main point of entry for airplane parts manufactured in Asia, and help ensure the 777X and future Boeing airplane programs are built in Washington.”

Since 1992, the Port of Everett has moved every oversized part for over 1,000 Boeing 777 airplanes to date.