Vancouver Port Set for First Scrap Metal Export

The Port of Vancouver, Wash., is preparing for the first shipment of scrap metal via breakbulk destined for Korea.

This is a new export commodity for port tenant, Pacific Coast Shredding, LLC, who expects this shipment to be the first of many shipments to markets in Asia. The shipment of 24, 000 metric tons of ferrous scrap steel will be loaded on the bulk carrier, M/V Maritime Trader, for its journey to Incheon, South Korea. The M/V Maritime Trader is owned by International Maritime Carriers, Ltd, and represented by a local steamship agent, North American Steamship Agents of Vancouver, Wash.

"There is a real demand in the Pacific Rim for scrap metal," said Victor Winkler, president of Metro Metals NW, Inc. "Scrap metal recycling really helps conserves the nonrenewable future of iron ore in the earth by recycling the past uses. And we look forward to working with the port for the continued exports of scrap metal to our Asian customers."

 The company expects to have the vessel leave for Korea by early next week.

While the company has shipped both ferrous and nonferrous scrap in containers, this is the first move by the company to use break bulk vessels to transport the material.

According to Winkler, the company has been looking to use breakbulk for about a year. And, with healthy markets, the company has opted to begin the proccess.

Pacific Coast Shredding, a subsidiary of Metro Metals Northwest, has been a port tenant since 1997, is located on the east end of Terminal 2 at the former Fort Vancouver Plywood site. The port completed environmental remediation of this site in 1997 and was able to work closely with Pacific Coast Shredding to set up its operations. Scrap processing and recycling is an expensive and complex business requiring a major investment in heavy equipment, buildings and land, plus a strong management skills and a thorough knowledge of metals.