The Port of Kalama commission on Oct. 16 voted to award an $857,000
maintenance dredging contract to Hickey Marine Enterprises for a project to
maintain the draft needed for large cargo ships traversing the port.
Vancouver, Washington-based contractor Hickey Marine will
remove materials in front of the TEMCO Grain Terminal located at the port. TEMCO,
which is co-owned by Cargill and CHS Inc., is itself in the midst of a $50
million grain-export expansion, which it expects to complete in early 2014.
“One of the goals of the Port of Kalama is to provide the
facilities needed for the commerce and success of our business tenants,” Port
of Kalama Economic Development Manager Jacobo Salan said. “We are consistently
taking a proactive approach to upgrading and enhancing port infrastructure for
these purposes.”
The expansion was undertaken by TEMCO after the Columbia
River channel was deepened by three feet, to 43 feet, thus allowing bulk grain ships
to carry more cargo per load.
The latest project is expected to begin November and run
through the end of 2013, according to the port. Kalama officials say general
business activity at the facility isn’t expected to be interrupted during the
dredging.
