Terminal 5 selected as preferred site for future potash export facility

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Today Port of Vancouver USA announced discussions are underway with BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified natural resources company, regarding the potential location of a potash export facility at the port’s Terminal 5.  The port and BHP Billiton have reached preliminary agreement to proceed and are working to finalize terms and a lease agreement.  The project would include handling, storage, dock and rail facilities for potash export from BHP Billiton’s first mine to be developed in Canada’s Saskatchewan Basin.  Potash is a natural mineral fertilizer that improves crop yields. 

BHP Billiton has selected Terminal 5, together with rail proposals from Canadian Pacific Railway and BNSF Railway as the preferred option to export potash from its Jansen Project in Saskatchewan when that project goes into production. 
  
“Designing and developing an efficient, world-class port and logistics system is an important part of achieving our goal of building a successful low-cost potash business,” said Mark Young, BHP Billiton port and logistics manager.  “The Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 5 location is an attractive site, which would be capable of handling the anticipated production from the Jansen development.”
 
“To say we are pleased our port has been selected as the preferred option is an understatement,” said Larry Paulson, Port of Vancouver executive director.  “The opportunity to work with BHP Billiton, recognized around the world as a company that respects the environment and the communities in which they operate, on a project that will add significantly to the port’s customer and revenue base is very exciting.”

Strategic investments by the port in Terminal 5 will provide BHP Billiton with land for the company’s storage and dock facilities, and the port’s commitment to rail improvement demonstrated by its ongoing West Vancouver Freight Access project makes the site particularly appealing to this type of private sector investment. 

Once a final agreement has been reached, approval is required from BHP Billiton and the port’s board of commissioners. 

About the Port of Vancouver USA

The Port of Vancouver USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

The Port of Vancouver is in the midst of a year full of projects and developments that will lead to vital job creation, economic stimulation and environmental preservation. By diversifying its cargo mix between bulk commodities, breakbulk and project cargos, the port is responsible for job generation and significant contributions to the tax base for not only its own community, but also the state of Washington. Current expansion of the port’s rail system and development of new port industrial and marine properties will bring new jobs – both short term and long term – and the preservation of wetlands, the creation of enhanced wildlife habitat, and make way for more green/sustainable business partners operating from the port. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.

Information on BHP Billiton can be obtained at www.bhpbilliton,com