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Columbia River Ports at a Crossroads of Possibilities

The Port of Vancouver USA's location at the crossroads of ocean-bound and river shipping lanes, interstate highways and national rail lines is one of its strongest attributes.

Today, our Port and our region find itself at a different kind of crossroads. Business at West Coast ports has grown tremendously due to the explosion of trade with Asian markets and the shift to a truly global economy. Even the most aggressive projections cannot keep up with reality. But while ports are eager to welcome new ships to their docks, many face a challenge in their ability to move that cargo to its final destination.

Record Growth Continues
At the Port of Vancouver, we saw a 25% increase in tonnage in 2004, and our 2005 figures to date are poised to surpass even that record. Congestion at Southern California ports this past year resulted in significant delays for ships waiting to unload and Seattle-Tacoma docks have also reported record growth figures. The future promises more of the same with container cargo projected to double by 2014 and triple by 2021. Grain exports are expected to double over the same time period.

The Columbia-Snake river system already forms the second largest export gateway for trade on the West Coast as the channel for 40% of all U.S. wheat exports and numerous other commodities. We know it is the closest option for many Pacific Rim trading partners and is one of the few West Coast areas with significant amounts of waterfront property available for expansion.

All of these factors place the Port of Vancouver and our fellow river ports in an excellent position to take advantage of new trade opportunities that can create badly-needed jobs for our region. Vital to securing this economic windfall is the ability to provide the infrastructure, ready rail and road access as well as land and facilities.

Rail Freight A Priority
The development of rail and highway connections to accommodate the projected growth in marine cargo at Columbia River ports is a top priority for the Port of Vancouver and for our region. In selecting a port of call, carriers and shippers realize that transportation systems are critical to move cargo quickly and efficiently to its final destination.

While 42% of our nation's freight is moved by rail, that figure jumps to 82% for the Columbia River region and is projected to increase as trade grows. Our entire rail system in the Pacific Northwest faces similar access and congestion issues.

Rail is a preferred mode for transporting freight for several reasons:

• One freight train can carry the equivalent of 280 truck trailers.
• Rail moves a ton of freight over 400 miles on one gallon of fuel.
• Rail reduces harmful air pollutants by 6 to 12 times.

In order to accommodate future trade growth, we must improve and expand existing rail corridors. Rail freight passing through Vancouver's BNSF yard is projected to grow 60% by 2025, and passenger trains using the same lines are expected to increase from 12 to 26 per day.

A similar situation faces the Union Pacific rail line on the south side of the Columbia River. Congestion on the Vancouver rails at peak use times already equals that of a much larger Chicago system. These delays are felt along both east-west and north-south rail lines impacting everyone who relies on timely rail service.

Ports Must Work Together
Columbia River ports must work together with other public and private industry partners to find the funding and support for rail improvements. Otherwise, shippers will begin to look elsewhere, most likely Mexico and Canada, for trade routes with expedient rail access. The result would mean a loss of jobs and revenue, not just for our ports but in local communities and even farther east to wheat farmers, mineral mining interests and others who rely on economical rail freight to move their products to market.

Columbia River ports can point proudly to the track record we have established for working together to obtain common goals. At this summer's Channel Coalition Celebration in Vancouver, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) praised the Columbia River ports and their partners for more than a decade of persistent efforts that resulted in the dredging a deeper, more profitable navigation channel. The ports of Vancouver and Portland also continue to work closely on the Columbia River Crossing/I-5 bridge and system-wide rail improvements.

A unique, formal partnership forged last year with neighboring Port of Portland will strengthen economic development and trade for both agencies while ensuring the most efficient use of resources. Collaboration, in spite of our sometimes competing individual interests, is critical if the Columbia River is to capture a profitable share of the international trade market for our region.

Revitalizing Our Communities
During the past 10 years, we have invested more than $60 million to revitalize our waterfront facilities at the Port of Vancouver - renovating terminals, adding dockside warehousing and purchasing more equipment for flexible and efficient loading and unloading of cargo. We are in the final permitting phase to begin development of an additional 600 acres of property for marine and industrial use. This development has the potential to bring thousands of jobs and increased business revenues to our community.

Ports all along the river system have similar opportunities and the entire region will profit from the increased trade and the related businesses that result. With sufficient rive, rail and road access, we can optimize the economic benefit of these new developments. As the marketplace expands, our efforts to capitalize on trade opportunities must also grow on a regional scale.

Throughout history, successful communities have grown up around ports. Today, ports can be the key to revitalizing communities struggling financially because of the shift away from natural resource-based economies. Combining our resources as a region, makes it possible to build the river, road and rail connections necessary to meet projected trade growth well into the future. Imagine the possibilities!