The Oregon Shipping Group is continually expanding its capacity to gather critical shipping information. We are doing so through formal connections, such as Kevin Mannix's attendance at the TPM 2018 Conference in Long Beach, California. Our informal networking involves reviewing all news articles and features relating to shipping in the context of the Pacific Northwest. We look at each article to understand the problems affecting shipping - but also to understand workable solutions. For example, the Port of Charleston has maintained its status as the busiest in the United States and the world. (https://www.postandcourier.com/business/port-of-charleston-maintains-spot-among-busiest-in-u-s/article_6fbd3afe-3435-11e8-a95c-bb8cccd810ff.html)
When we see such articles we often search deeper to analyze the basis for their success and the networks they have developed.
Another informal approach we are taking is to follow-up on personal contacts with prime players in the shipping industry. Kevin Mannix met and talked with over 30 key individuals during his attendance of TPM 2018 and he has initiated email conversations with all of them.
As an example of the value we see in such activity one of the persons Kevin met at TPM 2018 is a major officer in the shipping development company which has major intermodal development experience throughout the world. Kevin has arranged for the Oregon Port of Willamette, LLC, which is developing the proposal for a Brooks intermodal facility, to bring in that company as a major consultant.
This brings us to the Oregon Port of Willamette, LLC. The Oregon Shipping Group fostered the establishment of this company to support the development of major transportation facilities and systems. The major initial project is an intermodal facility, to serve the Willamette Valley, proposed to be located in Brooks. But the Oregon Shipping Group is already evaluating how such a facility can serve the needs of central, southern, and eastern Oregon farmers, through shipping connections through Seattle and Tacoma or the interior of the United States.
In a more immediate sense, the Oregon Shipping Group continues to support the renovation, and improvement of rail service to the International Port of Coos Bay. Recent news revealed the deteriorated state of one of the rail bridges serving the port. (http://kcby.com/news/local/coos-bay-swing-span-bridge-reopens-following-temporary-closure). We already contacted the port and state officials to encourage greater state assistance for the improvement of that rail line.
We are now evaluating the prospects for TIGER grants (now called BUILD grants) and IFA grants to support other shipping improvements for Oregon. The funding for BUILD grants is triple that of the earlier appropriation and much of the funds will be directed to rural projects. We welcome your suggestions as to projects worthy of initiation or support.
If anyone is interested in additional information as to the development of the intermodal facility by the Oregon Port of Willamette, please contact us. Both the Millersburg and Brooks proposals need to submit their complete plans to ODOT by the end of September 2018. The plans will then be reviewed by ODOT and Business Oregon and the Oregon Transportation Commission will make the final choice as to the project which will receive a lottery economic development grant. We anticipate their final decision may come in December 2018 or January 2019.
Much is happening to improve shipping systems in Oregon and we are happy to be advocates in that process.
Sincerely,
Kevin L. Mannix
Director
Oregon Shipping Group
