Port signs agreement with vehicle shipping company

The global transportation firm that purchased 3,200 new cars into Grays Harbor last week tells that it plans to go on exploring the possibility of creating a big-scale automotive processing facility in Aberdeen.

The Pasha Group, which arranged the current shipment of Kia vehicles to Marine Terminal 4, joined the Port of Grays Harbor in a marketing agreement Monday letting them a year to study the viability of establishing the novel facility.

Stan Gabara, vice president of automotive with The Pasha Group, told that the firm is very attracted to the site, storage, transportation and workforce connections provided at the Port.

“The Pasha Group trusts that Grays Harbor is distinctively and tactically positioned to be a main automotive processing and distribution facility long into the prospect,” Gabara said during a presentation to Port commissioners.

The Pasha Group, which runs transport for a range of cargoes, hopes to bring in quite a lot of more vehicle shipments during the next six months as it assesses whether the Port may be urbanized into a enduring facility.

Many members of the Pasha family comprising the chairman, CEO and port development general manager visited with Port commissioners. Gabara flashed photos of the firm’s big automotive sites comprising a 157-acre facility close to San Diego, which recruits 275 people prior to counting long shore and shipping workers.

He also told that Grays Harbor has the potential to develop into a large, long-term facility comprising warehouse storage, car washing stations, body and repair shops and further support facilities.


Port Deputy Director Leonard Barnes said the Pasha Group coordinates enormous numbers of automotive, mass and armed shipments. The firm commenced in 1942 and now serves 23 dissimilar auto manufacturers from Acura to Volkswagen.

“They want to be a leader universally in logistics,” he said. “They set the bar actually high.”

The cluster would make a solid accumulation to other terminal operations at the Port, he said. Port officials have long wanted to enlarge the services obtainable at Terminal 4.

Barnes said the Port has also reviewed its rail connections to augment its capacity to move shipments east. He said he deems rail transportation will play a great role in the Port’s future with the Pasha Group and other local distributors.

He also said that they’re in a tremendous position to grow.
Barnes continually mentioned the Port’s close proximity to markets in Seattle and Portland plus connections to manifold rail lines and Interstate 5.

He said the big amount of space available locally may also accommodate the vehicle inventory parking and a lot of facilities associated with the group’s vehicle processing services.

The Port Commissioners unanimously approved signing up the marketing agreement, which forbids the Port from seeking challenging companies for the Terminal 4 site. If another firm approaches the Port, the Pasha Group has the initial chance at the site.

Commissioner Chuck Caldwell said it was uncommon to be able to sign up such an agreement after already having the possibility to see the firm’s operation. The commissioners rapidly accepted the contract.

Commissioner Stan Pinnick of the auto ship’s arrival last week told that It was very remarkable to watch that first ship come in.

Commissioner Jack Thompson eulogized the Port staff for its long-term hard work and last-minute preparation for the ship’s influx. He also commended local Long shore personnel for their skill and professionalism while taking on a novel kind of shipment.

Billy Swor, secretary of the International Longshore Workers Union Local 24, was joined by other union leaders to welcome the firm.

Swore told that they’re hopeful that we’re taking benefit of the opportunity of a lifetime and also the community is with open arms.
Gabara said he was also daunted by the dedication and care of local personnel. The Pasha Group plans to have a envoy stay on the Harbor as they continue calculating the area as a promising site.

Barnes said the project’s potential is huge as the Port looks to prospect development. Officials plan to work intimately with the group in the coming months. He also told that they’ve started down a road