Port Of Benton News

In Washington state, Tidewater Transportation and Terminals inaugurated a $12.5 million ethanol unloading and storage site in Pasco to serve the Columbia and Snake River regions.On Tuesday, August 27, more than 60 area notables, members of the business community, and terminal personnel gathered mid-afternoon for a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration of the company’s state-of-the-art, onsite ethanol unloading and storage facility in Pasco.The facility consists of a 24-hour ethanol unit train railcar unloading rack with 24 new unloading stations and associated rail spurs. In addition, two 65,000-barrel steel tanks were built in order to provide reliable operating storage when an ethanol unit train arrives.

Virginia Port Authority Executive Director Named Chairman; Two Past AAPA Board Directors Receive Distinguished Service Award. Virginia Port Authority Executive Director Jerry Bridges was formally installed on Sept. 15 as the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) chairman of the board for 2011-12. Mr. Bridges accepted his new chairmanship duties at a membership meeting in Seattle during which the entire slate of 2011-12 officers was inducted as part of AAPA's 100th Annual Convention.

Governor Chris Gregoire announced the designation of 11 Innovation Partnership Zones in Washington, geographic areas that will promote and develop the state’s regional economies. Innovation Partnership Zones build on the success around the world of “research parks,” such as the Research Triangle in North Carolina and Torrey Pines in California and bring together research and higher education opportunities, innovation and economic activity to be a strong engine for regional economies. “Washington is home to some of the greatest innovations in the world and I am excited to support the continued success of our state’s world-class companies,” said Governor Gregoire.

Foss Maritime played a crucial role in the success of the towing of a defueled nuclear reactor up the Columbia River for burial of the reactor at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, near Richland, Wash. Under a contract from Portland General Electric, Foss managed and performed barging of the 1,020 ton load from PGE's decommissioned Trojan power plant, near Rainier, Ore., to the Richland barge slip at the Port of Benton. The 270-mile tow was performed by Foss tugs Lewiston and Noydena. Foss towed ZB-240, a 240 x 56 ft. ramp barge, specifically built for the reactor towing assignment by Zidell Marine Corporation. The barge was chartered by PGE from Zidell.