Port of Bellingham underway revitalizing shipping terminal for maritime hub

The Port of Bellingham reports it is revitalizing the Bellingham Shipping Terminal (BST) to serve as a hub for maritime activity. The project is part of a plan to strengthen the economy and generate jobs in Whatcom County.

The BST is a 35-acre marine cargo facility consisting of 3 berths and 85,000 square feet of warehouse space. Recent infrastructure upgrades at the terminal include dock strengthening, dredging for deeper draft, a stormwater treatment system, and a rail service extension. The rail spur portion of the project has an estimated cost of just under $20,000,000.

On March 3, 2026, the Board of Commissioners authorized an amendment to the 2026 Strategic Budget to reallocate $1,100,000 from the Harris Avenue Shipyard cleanup project to the BST dredging project. The total cost of the BST project is estimated at just under $30,000,000.

Financial and operational projections for the facility are as follows:

2028 Projections

Wages: $2,600,000
Port Fees: $6,400,000
Labor: 2,880 8-hour shifts for dockworkers
Vessel Activity: 24 layberthing ships, 48 barges under tow, and 36 cargo ships
Cargo Types: Containers and lumber from San Diego, wood chips and aggregates from Nanaimo, and bagged cargo from Asia

2029 Projections

Wages: $3,400,000
Port Fees: $8,300,000
Labor: 3,600 8-hour shifts for dockworkers
Vessel Activity: 48 cargo ships, including auto vessels from Asia

The Port also maintains two passenger cruise terminals and large vessel moorage facilities as part of its maritime operations. In a separate action on March 3, 2026, the commission approved a settlement agreement for the Marine Services Northwest environmental remediation site in the amount of $2,300,000.