Vancouver port scores on wind turbine imports

Vancouver port scores on wind turbine imports    Washington state's Port of Vancouver has landed the nation's top spot for wind turbine component imports, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
   A news report on Thursday in North American Windpower said the port handled more than 2,700 turbine pieces, including tower sections, blades and nacelles, in 2009.
   Vancouver has invested heavily in its near-dock rail capabilities and road connections in recent years to handle these types of heavy and outsized cargoes. The port has two Leibherr mobile harbor cranes, each capable of lifting 140 metric tons or 280 metric tons in tandem.
   The port also said its wind energy business will benefit from the construction of its West Vancouver Freight Access rail project and the recent purchase of 218 acres of rail-accessible industrial property from a former aluminum smelting plant.