Earlier this week, the Port of Everett celebrated the arrival of its newest cargo carrier, Sakhalin Shipping Co. (SASCO) from Russia. The shipping line specializes in cargo that supports Russia’s construction and mining industries. The new route will leave the Port of Everett carrying supplies and equipment and arrive in the Russian arctic city of Pevek.
SASCO’s arrival comes a few months after the expansion of the Port of Everett’s relationship with FESCO Transportation Group, a Russian intermodal transit operator. The Port of Everett is already FESCO’s North American shipping hub, but will now also handle their “Roll on Roll Off Vessels” . These ships accommodate cargo that can be rolled on and off, such as transportation equipment and heavy machinery, instead of being lifted by cranes. The expansion is expected to sustain hundreds of full and part-time jobs in Everett.
Russia, the world’s 11 largest economy, is one of the Port of Everett’s largest markets. According to an opinion piece published in the Everett Herald by the Washington Council on International Trade President Eric Schinfeld, Port of Everett Commissioner Troy McClelland, and Port of Everett CEO John Mohr, Washington exports to Russia grew approximately 80 percent from 2010-2011. To read more from their piece, click here.
Those who welcomed SASCO’s arrival to Everett earlier this week included Port of Everett and SASCO officials, ILWU members, and Greater Seattle’s Russian Consul, amongst others.
Tags: Port of Everett, Russia, SASCO