Local city officials and business owners are expected to officially welcome New Orleans-based Westway Terminals to the Harbor at a ceremony Tuesday morning. The company recently completed the construction of four, 80,000 gallon storage tanks near Marine Terminal 1.
Westway project manager Rob Johnson said the company is looking forward to a long partnership with the Port and the community.
“We’re real excited about being in Grays Harbor,” Johnson said, adding, “We’re expecting a nice crowd.”
The facility stores large amounts of liquids and chemicals. It does not own or manufacture any of the liquids.
“We’re like a warehouse,” Johnson said.
Port commissioners approved a 20-year lease with the company in October of 2008. The company is expected to pay $13,000 a month on the contract.
Westway officials have predicted more than a dozen vessel shipments a year with the first on about Dec. 27.

Port Executive Director Gary Nelson said Westway has moved quickly to set up their local facility. He said it is rare for such a large project to get up and running in less than a year.
“It’s pretty impressive,” he said.
Nelson said all four of the current tanks are being leased by Mitsubishi. They will contain methanol.
Though the tanks are still empty, Johnson said Westway is already looking at adding new customers and constructing new tanks to expand their local facility.
“We’re looking forward to being a success,” he said.
Nelson said Westway has used a little more than a third of their lease property and certainly has room to expand, bringing in more jobs and vessel calls.
“We’re hoping that comes to pass sooner than later,” he added.
This week’s ribbon cutting will mark the first step. Nelson said Port commissioners, union representatives and city officials will all attend the ceremony.
“It’s really an opportunity to celebrate,” he said, “and recognize a lot of hard work.”