Contanda is making plans to expand its Grays Harbor, Washington facility in anticipation of increased demand for low-carbon, cleaner fuels. The company plans to store a portfolio of cleaner fuels including biodiesel, renewable diesel and ultra-low sulfur diesel at the site.

Since 2009, Contanda has safely operated a state-of-the art facility to handle bulk liquid storage and logistics at the Port of Grays Harbor. The existing facility handles methanol for industrial uses. In 2013, the company sought permits to expand the facility for other liquids, including crude oil. Ultimately, the permits were not granted, primarily because of opposition to the storage and handling of crude oil.

The revised application for eight new storage tanks capable of storing 1.1 million barrels of liquid is in response to customer demand and the strong future across the West Coast for biofuels and commodities such as ultra-low-sulfur diesel as low carbon fuel standards and carbon regulations continue to move forward.

Company CEO, G.R. ‘Jerry’ Cardillo said: “We heard the community, met with our customers and developed a revised strategy involving the storage of clean products. With the highest commitment to safety, our neighbors and the environment, we look forward to this potential expansion which will bring jobs, tax revenue and other economic benefits to the community for the long term.”

Grays Harbor’s strategic location and infrastructure are attractive to Contanda and potential customers whose products originate in the Northwest and can travel by rail to the port to be transferred to deep-water marine vessels. The project would create as many as 100 jobs during construction and up to 20 permanent positions when operational.

“The combination of deep-water shipping terminals, rail service, experienced labor and available land for development of facilities is what first attracted Contanda to the area in 2009. These attributes continue to provide an attractive development option for us as we look to expand our West Coast terminal presence,” Jerry added.

The company is working closely with the City of Hoquiam and the Washington Department of Ecology on a streamlined permitting process, but does not yet have a timeline for the revised project.

More information can be found at www.contanda.com

17th Jan 2018

17th January 2018