Port of Grays Harbor Receives Award from Minnesota Soybean Growers Association

Aberdeen, WA – Port of Grays Harbor Commissioner, Jack Thompson, and Executive Director, Gary Nelson were on hand for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association annual meeting on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Mankato, Minnesota to receive Minnesota Soybean’s 2012 International Marketing Committee Partner of the Year Award.

Minnesota Soybean, which represents more than 25,000 soybean farmers across the State of Minnesota, selected the Port of Grays Harbor for the role it has played in helping increase Ag Processing Inc’s export tonnage of soybean products to international markets over the past eight years.

“It was an honor to come here to receive this award and be recognized by the farmers who have made all of the growth and success we have all experienced in the soybean export industry over past few years possible. We look forward to the continued partnership and many more prosperous years to come,” stated Port Commissioner Jack Thompson.

In 2012, a record setting 1.69 million metric tons of soybean products were exported through the Port of Grays Harbor to international markets including China, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. The increase in export activity in soybean products and other dry agriculture cargos has also been accompanied by increased exports in autos, liquid bulks and forest products. The Port of Grays Harbor operated at a 96% export rate in 2012. The increased export activity created more than one hundred FTE longshore jobs for handling the cargo.

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“The relationships between Minnesota Soybean farmers, the Port of Grays Harbor, AGP and customers around the world have benefited everyone. We look forward to the future growth of soybeans and soybean meal exports out of the Port of Grays Harbor,” added Paul Simonsen, Minnesota Soybean International Marketing Chair.

Founded in 1911, the Port of Grays Harbor is one of Washington State’s oldest port districts and Washington’s only deep-water port located directly on the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Grays Harbor operates four deepwater marine terminals, the Westport Marina, Bowerman Airport and numerous industrial and business parks throughout the region. The addition of Satsop Business Park increases the Port’s properties to more than 1,000 acres of industrial properties and an additional 1,300 acres of sustainably managed forestland. Strategically located midway between Seattle and Portland and less than 1 ½ hours from open sea, the Port of Grays Harbor provides businesses a diverse portfolio of facilities. More information on the Port of Grays Harbor’s facilities and operations is available at portofgraysharbor.com.