Port of Kalama

Port of Kalama
Name	Port of Kalama
Country	United States
Location	Kalama, Washington
Opened	1951
Owner	Port of Kalama Commission
Type	Deepwater port

Port of Kalama The Port of Kalama is a deepwater port on the Columbia River estuary in Kalama, Washington, Cowlitz County, Washington. It functions as a regional terminal for bulk cargoes including coal, timber, grain, and petroleum products, and supports connections to the Port of Longview, Port of Vancouver (Washington), and inland rail carriers such as BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. The port interfaces with regional authorities including the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Northwest Seaport Alliance partners, and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

History

The port district was created under the Public Port District Act of Washington and established its initial facilities in the early 20th century, with major development accelerating after World War II alongside projects by the Bonneville Power Administration and navigation improvements by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Early growth was tied to the timber trade with markets in Japan, United Kingdom, and China, and later diversified during the petroleum boom and bulk commodities expansion linked to export markets such as South Korea, Taiwan, and India. Industrial proposals in the late 20th and early 21st centuries drew interest from multinational corporations including Glencore, Arch Coal, and energy firms that negotiated leases with the port commission. Legal and regulatory actions involving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and state agencies shaped permitting for projects subject to the National Environmental Policy Act and Washington State environmental laws.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The port maintains multiple deepwater berths, roll-on/roll-off ramps, and bulk handling equipment designed for commodities such as coal, grain, lumber, fertilizer, and liquid bulk including refined petroleum and industrial chemicals. Onshore infrastructure includes rail spurs connected to BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad, heavy-lift cranes, conveyor systems, covered storage, and warehouse facilities compliant with standards from entities like the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Navigation channels are maintained in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are charted for vessel classes used by regional carriers such as Matson, Inc. and Crowley Maritime. Intermodal connections link the port to Interstate 5, regional pipelines, and distribution centers serving markets in the Pacific Northwest, Columbia Basin, and western Canada.

Operations and Traffic

Operationally, the port handles bulk export and import calls from bulk carriers, tankers, and multipurpose vessels operated by shipping lines including Taiwan International Ports Corporation, K Line, and various tramp operators. Cargo throughput statistics encompass tonnage for coal, wood products, grain, and petroleum; rail carloads are coordinated with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad timetables and with shippers such as Louis Dreyfus Company and regional grain elevators. Pilotage and vessel traffic are managed with the Columbia River Bar Pilots and the U.S. Coast Guard sector offices. Seasonal variations in traffic reflect harvest cycles linked to the Palouse grain belt, timber harvest schedules coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service, and energy demand patterns influenced by refiners and terminals in the Pacific Rim supply chain.

Economic Impact and Trade

The port contributes to regional trade flows tying the Pacific Northwest to export markets in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, supporting primary industries such as timber, agriculture, and energy. Economic analyses by local planning agencies compare employment multipliers from cargo handling, rail logistics, and terminal operations with investments by private tenants including bulk commodity traders and energy firms. Tax revenues and lease income funded by tenants support local services in Cowlitz County, Washington and enable capital projects coordinated with entities such as the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Council of Cowlitz County. Trade policy shifts, tariffs administered by the U.S. Trade Representative, and bilateral agreements with countries like China and Japan have historically affected export volumes.

Environmental Management and Safety

Environmental management at the port involves permitting, habitat mitigation, and spill response planning coordinated with agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Washington State Department of Ecology, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Measures include stormwater treatment, shoreline restoration projects linked to the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, and emergency preparedness aligned with the U.S. Coast Guard and regionally with the Northwest Area Contingency Plan. Safety and regulatory compliance follow standards from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, maritime security programs influenced by Transportation Security Administration guidance, and environmental statutes such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act when projects affect listed species or critical habitat.

Governance and Ownership

The port district is governed by a locally elected commission operating under Washington State port district statutes and interacts with regional entities like the Washington State Legislature for enabling legislation and capital funding, and with federal partners including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging and navigation projects. Ownership of terminal facilities is a mix of publicly held port assets and privately leased terminals operated by commodity firms and logistics companies, with leases and concessions overseen by the port commission and legal counsel informed by decisions from state courts and administrative bodies such as the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Category:Ports and harbors of Washington (state) Category:Cowlitz County, Washington