/ Soda Ash Facility Nears Completion
June 22, 2026
From its role moving wind components, hybrid and electric cars, key ingredients for electric infrastructure and more, the Port of Vancouver USA has become one of the leading sustainable energy gateways on the West Coast.
Another chapter in this story is currently being written as a state-of-the-art soda ash facility is being constructed at the port.
Soda ash is an essential building block in solar energy, EV’s and hybrid vehicles and batteries. Not only will the port add this important clean energy mineral to its portfolio of commodities, it’s committed to responsible and environmentally conscious handling of soda ash from its arrival via rail to being loaded on vessels.
The partnership managing the project, Vancouver Bulk Terminal (VBT), is nearing the final stages of construction. Soda ash is scheduled to begin moving by the end of 2026.
One of the most visible components of the project is the nearly complete 150,000-square-foot storage building designed to safely store the commodity.
Progress is also being made on the conveyor system that will transport material from the storage building to the ship loader at the waterfront. The new conveyor is fully enclosed and includes an interior walkway, providing employees with safe and convenient access for routine inspections and maintenance. This enclosed system represents a significant environmental improvement over previous bulk mineral operations at the site, preventing small particles from escaping and weather exposure.
These upgrades help improve material containment throughout the loading process while reducing the potential for dust and weather exposure. The project demonstrates how modern infrastructure can support both efficient cargo movement and environmental stewardship along the working waterfront.
Once operational, the VBT facility will export natural soda ash produced from trona deposits in Wyoming, the largest known source of naturally occurring trona-based soda ash in the world. These deposits offer a high-quality domestic alternative to synthetic soda ash, helping connect a critical U.S. mineral to global clean-energy markets.
Construction crews have made significant progress over the past year, including completion of Berth 7 maintenance work, installation of the portal stacker/reclaimer, progress on rail improvements and continued work on the conveyor and ship-loading systems.
Clean-energy technology producers around the world will soon have a reliable source for soda ash making its way through the Port of Vancouver USA.
