Log exports at the Port of Astoria are about to begin. A first vessel from South Korean is due to berth at the port on November 5th, with a second ship to export logs to China to follow by the end of the year. Port executive director Jack Crider says he’s been contacted by a large lumber company to ship up to 12-million board feet per month to China.
Westerlund Log Handlers vice president Roger Nance tells the port commission that five operators have been hired for the log export venture at the port. Ages range from mid-twenties to the early sixties. The economic impact to the area already has been “substantial,” according to Nance. Local longshoremen will be trained next week to load ships.