Port Invests Million in Grain Export Facility

Think of it as an express lane for grain exports through Seattle.

The Port of Seattle Commission approved a plan January 22 to modify the system of conveyors that moves grain from trains to ships at its Terminal 86 grain elevator on Elliott Bay. The $1 million investment will help Louis Dreyfus Corporation, the terminal operator and one of the Port's largest maritime customers, load grain faster and better control product quality.

The project will create a second gate, permitting grain to be loaded directly from trains to ships without intermediate storage in the elevator. While speed is one obvious advantage, bypassing the elevators means the grain is handled less and the risk of damaging the product is reduced. Reducing "breakage" of grains improves quality and allows Louis Dreyfus to deliver a higher grade of product to the market from the Seattle facility.

"Completing this project provides value to our customer through improved infrastructure," said Steve Sewell, Managing Director of the Port's Seaport Division. "It also bolsters our competitive position relative to other West Coast grain export facilities and supports 60 local, family-wage jobs directly related to grain export activities."

Louis Dreyfus began leasing and operating Terminal 86 in March 2000. Since that time, the company has invested $1.25 million in rail improvements and $400,000 in elevator machinery at the terminal.

"The Port's willingness to work with us as a partner in serving our customers will help maintain Seattle's role as a gateway for grain exports," said Kevin Kaufman, Sr. Vice President of Louis Dreyfus Corporation. Louis Dreyfus is one of the world's largest traders, marketers and processors of agricultural commodities.

In 2001 Seattle grain exports totaled 2.7 million metric tons, a 34 percent increase over 2000. Most of the product exported through Terminal 86 is soybeans or corn from the Dakotas, Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska. A small amount of Washington and Oregon wheat also moves through the facility. Taiwan, China and Japan are the top destinations for product exported through Terminal 86.