Brunswick expands terminal for wood pellets

Brunswick expands terminal for wood pellets    The Georgia Ports Authority said Thursday it has signed a partnership agreement with Logistec USA to modernize the East River Terminal at the Port of Brunswick to facilitate the growing trade in wood pellets.
   Logistec, which has interests in the stevedoring, marine and environmental services, will invest $5 million to expand the biofuel export market in Georgia and increase capacity for handling general and bulk cargo.
   “Expansion and installation of new infrastructure at East River Terminal will accommodate Georgia's export for biomass fuels and create jobs throughout Georgia's transportation, logistics and forest industries,' said GPA's Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz.
   In the first phase the terminal will be upgraded to handle up to 1 million tons of wood pellets and chips annually.
   The port authority said the Brunswick terminal is close to manufacturing facilities in the heart of Georgia’s timberland. The pellets will be loaded onto vessels bound for biomass power plants in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe.
   'There will be further investment in East River Terminal and its handling facility as the market for biomass fuels grows,' Foltz said.
   The project will begin in September and is to be completed by January. It will include deepening three berths to 36 feet and upgrading docks and the handling facility.