Port of Longview seeks operator for two berths at Bridgeview Terminal

The terminal’s two berths became available earlier in 2016 when a lease with a bulk cargo operator ended, and although the port is mainly interested in responses to import/export bulk cargo, it will consider opportunities for other marine-dependent uses.    The Port of Longview along the Columbia River in Washington state is seeking a company to redevelop and operate berths 1 and 2 of its Bridgeview Terminal.
   The terminal, which is comprised of 22.5 acres of berth space, rail tracks, storage and existing structures, became available when a long-term lease with a bulk cargo operator expired earlier this year.
   “The port is interested in a proposal that offers the best possible use of the site, while considering cargo throughput, job growth, bringing new cargo through the port and overall revenue to the port,” the Longview Port Authority said in its request for proposal statement released Wednesday.
   The port said it wants to “increase the throughput of berths 1 and 2, and drive a demand for increased use of available backland facilities.”
   The berths have handled a variety of bulk commodities over the years, including fertilizers, potash, soda, ash and grains. “While the port is primarily interested in responses to import or export bulk cargos, it will consider opportunities for other marine-dependent uses,” the port said.
   “Opportunities to establish new terminal operations or terminal redevelopment are minimal on the West Coast,” said Business Development Manager Laurie Nelson-Cooley, citing the development attributes of the Bridgeview Terminal.
   The Port of Longview said the deadline for the request for proposals is Dec. 2, with the lease planned to begin April 1, 2017. The port expects the lease duration to last at least 10 years.