Mcc-alastair-03192014_1882The Maritime Commerce Club held its annual State of the Ports’ luncheon on Wednesday, March 19, at the Lloyd Center Double Tree Hotel in Portland, with approximately 80 members and guests in attendance. Port of Vancouver’s Alastair Smith, senior director of marketing and operations, was joined by representatives from the Washington ports of Longview and Kalama and the Oregon ports of St. Helens and Portland.

Smith reviewed the Port of Vancouver’s 2013 cargo mix and presented the cargo potential for 2014—with the North Dakota energy boom and automobiles both representing areas for growth. Smith is recently returned from a trip to China where he said the mood is much more upbeat and there is renewed demand for U.S. steel and raw materials to fuel Asian growth. He also outlined the port’s Advantaged Supply Chain, which offers a direct route from the Midcontinent to the port and saves shippers 20 days over using routes through the Gulf of Mexico.

All ports present commented on the similarities in what they do – but also the special niches each fills and makes each one distinct.

The Maritime Commerce Club was created to further the interests of individuals and businesses involved in maritime trade along the Columbia and Willamette River Systems.