The head of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, Rear Adm. Ann C. Phillips, visited the Port of Grays Harbor, along with other out-of-town notables like the CEO of Ag Processing Inc. and a commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission.

Speakers addressed a crowd of port officials, mayors, staffers and others about the progress on the massive Terminal 4 expansion project.

“The intent is to provide opportunities like this one, to make generational change in their port infrastructure,” Phillips said in her remarks to the assembled group at a warehouse near T4, where much of the work will take place. “The importance of this and the jobs it brings cannot be understated.”

Phillips’ visit marks the first visit by the MARAD administrator to Grays Harbor, said Tom Quigg, president of the port commission.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World ILWU Local 24 Pres. Billy Swor speaks at a luncheon at the Port of Grays Harbor about the Terminal 4 expansion project on Sept. 28.

“This is the largest project the port has ever taken on,” Quigg said. “It will provide opportunities for generation to come.”

The port is currently in the process of accepting a $25.5 million grant from MARAD, intended to go toward the T4 expansion.

“This is a big project. This is not small potatoes. They have a great strategy to move forward,” Phillips said. “I enjoy seeing all the nuances.”

Ag Processing Inc. CEO Chris Schaffer spoke at the event, praising the expansion as the port looks to essentially double its capacity for shipping traffic to about 150 ships per year, up from the 60-70 the port currently sees.

“The success that we have between the port and the work of the union and what we brought to the table, there wasn’t any decision about what we wanted to do,” Schaffer said. “This is going to happen. This isn’t a field of dreams.”

Phillips praised the close ties between the port and AGP, who are their biggest partner.

“I’m really inspired by the collaboration here, the community, the tribes, AGP being a part of this. They obviously have a clear presence here,” Phillips said. “They’re working in collaboration with the city, with the port.”

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Port of Grays Harbor executive director Gary Nelson speaks at a luncheon at the port about the Terminal 4 expansion project on Sept. 28.

AGP has worked with the port for two major expansion projects, one in 2003-2004 and another in 2012-2013, Schaffer said. As the country increases demand for soybean oil for use in biodiesels, Schaffer said, there’s more of the soymeal to find a market for, primarily in Southeast Asia.

“Our current administration wants to go to fuel supply that puts less carbon pressure on the environment,” Schaffer said. “The demand for oil as a feedstock to the energy sector increased.”

Schaffer spoke highly of the cooperation with the port staff and union as part of the long, comfortable relationship between the agricultural company and the port.

“It’s really nice to work with the Port of Grays Harbor staff. The commissioners are very supportive of what we do, as are Local 24,” Schaffer said. “We feel comfortable with what we’re doing today to bring jobs and vessels to the community.”

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Ag Processing Inc. CEO Chris Schaffer speaks at a luncheon at the Port of Grays Harbor about the Terminal 4 expansion project on Sept. 28.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 24 is anticipating the creation of jobs both from the expansion and nearer-term projects, said Local 24 President Billy Swor.

“The growth we’re expecting in January is going to have an immediate impact. We’re going to be more than doubling our local,” Swor said. “We’re appreciative of the community effort. We got to figure out how we mutually help each other.”

The T4 project will see new rails laid down, redevelop a casting basin for more cargo laydown area, improve site access, pier fenders, roadways and stormwater systems, while AGP constructs a new agricultural loading facility on land leased from the port, according to the project website.

“We’re so excited about what we have ready to develop,” Schaffer said.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.