Port of Grays Harbor’s Top 10 of 2024

December 31, 2024
Contact:  Kayla Dunlap, Director of Government & Public Affairs
kdunlap@portgrays.org or 360-581-4776

The Port of Grays Harbor wishes everyone a safe, happy and healthy New Year! Enjoy our Top 10 of 2024 and we look forward to sharing more great news in 2025.

#1

Leonard Barnes Takes the Helm at PGH - Hitting the ground running, Leonard Barnes assumed the Executive Director role on April 1, 2024, following the retirement of Gary Nelson.  Mr. Barnes’ experience and leadership has guided the Port team through one of the busiest and most successful years on record. 

#2

Life Flight Network Expands at Bowerman Airport - Less than a year and a half after beginning life-saving operations in Grays Harbor, Life Flight Network has embarked on a $1.3 million expansion at Bowerman Airport to include a new hangar.  The project is expected to be completed by Q2 2025.

#3

Port Secures at Least 80,000 Auto Imports for 2025 - The Port of Grays Harbor is poised to handle the most auto imports it ever has seen in its 113-year history in 2025.  Ro/Ro vessels will bring at least 80,000 autos to the Port that will create hundreds of longshore, teamster, rail and trucking jobs.

#4

Port Secures New Grays Harbor Pilotage Trainee - With vessel calls expected to double in the next 18-24 months, the Port is thrilled to have the #1 candidate from the Washington State Marine Pilot Exam choose to train on Grays Harbor.  Montesano resident and Brusco Tug Captain Ryan Campbell will begin his training program in spring 2025.

#5

Try-A-Trade Brings More than 1,100 students to the Satsop Business Park - With ample room for equipment, exhibits, busses and people, the Satsop Business Park was proud to partner with and host an incredibly successful Try-A-Trade event that brought more than 1100 students from 25 schools in 5 counties to connect with representatives of 19 trade organizations.  Satsop Business Park looks forward to making 2025’s event even bigger and better. 

#6

Port Earns Clean Financial and Accountability Audits - The Port of Grays Harbor accounting team proudly earned a clean report for both its accountability and financial statement audits for 2023.  As a public agency, Port staff works diligently to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and its own policies and to provide adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources.

#7

Record Demand for Westport Marina Moorage Leads to Refined Operations and More Customers Served - An outstanding recreational fishing season combined with nationally ranked commercial fishing activity made for an extra busy summer in the Westport Marina. With efficient slip management, revised moorage policies, and a proactive maintenance team, the marina staff was able to accommodate more vessels in the Marina in 2024 than in the last decade.      

#8

Friends Landing Receives More than $80,000 in Grants for Day-Use Area Enhancements - The Friends Landing Day-Use Area is set to receive some exciting enhancements in 2025 thanks to generous grants from the Kelsey Foundation and Grays Harbor Community Foundation.  Improvements will include a pickleball court, improved accessibility walkways between the picnic shelter and the playground, benches and picnic tables.

#9

Terminal 4 Expansion & Redevelopment Project Breaks Ground - After several years of hard work, planning, financing and grant obligation, the Port’s transformational Terminal 4 Expansion & Redevelopment Project finally broke ground in November.  The $60 million project will support AGP’s private investment of $170 million in a new export facility at Terminal 4B.  The project adds more than 40,000 feet of rail into the Marine Terminal Complex. It also includes a new and improved marine fender system designed for bulk and RORO vessels, as well as a brand-new stormwater collection and treatment system.  And last but certainly not least, the project will redevelop the former 520 casting basin site into cargo laydown area by expanding and improving the area available for RORO and other operations at T4A.

#10

2024 Breaks Record for Cargo Handled at the Port’s 4 Deep-water Terminals - 2023 was a record year for cargo handled at the Port’s 4 deep-water terminals but with just days left in 2024, all signs point to 2024 beating the record.  Soymeal, liquid bulks, logs, autos and woodchips all crossed the port’s docks generating revenue and jobs for the Grays Harbor Community.