Amethyst

For the first time in nearly a decade, a ship loaded with timber left the Port of Everett headed for Japan. The vessel, Andalucian Zephyr, was loaded in December with 2.2 million board feet, or 11,000 tons, of Douglas firs at the Port. The ship then went to Longview where it was filled with more logs and then headed for Matsunaga, Japan. The Port of Everett worked in partnership with Forest Marketing Enterprises of Everett for the delivery to Japan, which traditionally offers some of the best bids for West Coast timber. “The goal in-house for awhile has been to resurrect the Japanese business,” said Eric Warren, president of Forest Marketing. “The benefit it would bring here is far-reaching.” Warren said the logs are being evaluated by Toa Construction in Matsunga. He believes the local timber is better than logs in areas in southern Washington that have been harvested heavily. If it appeals to the Japanese, more shipments could be started by the third or fourth quarter this year. http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150202/BIZ/150209945