After years of waiting, a trial shipment of wood chips to Europe through the Port of Eastport is expected this spring, in the first export use of the Estes Head terminal's $10-million bulk conveyor system that was completed in 2012. If the trial shipment is successful, it is expected to lead to a long-term export deal with the European company.
     Chris Gardner, executive director of the Eastport Port Authority, confirms "that we are working with our partners in the final stages of negotiation with a Danish company for the export of wood fiber out of Eastport. As the public is well aware, this commodity export has been a focus of the port and its partners for some time, and we feel that this is one of the strongest proposals we have entertained related to this expansion."
     He adds, "Much time and effort has been quietly placed into this endeavor, as we felt it very important that we consider all forest product users both locally and abroad to ensure that any expansion in this market would be both complementary to our long-standing business partners while also allowing expansion into these new markets."
     Along with the first export use of the bulk conveyor system, the wood chip shipment "will be utilizing the first-of-its-kind phytosanitary heat-treating technology investment made by the port in 2017-2018. Although we have faced starts and stops in the past due to global market fluctuations, we are optimistic that we will be targeting a trial shipment date towards the end of March once all contract details are finalized."

Tugboat sold
     In other developments, the port authority has sold its tugboat Captain Mack to Steven Pagels of Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines of Bar Harbor for $5,000. The port authority also sold the fuel aboard the vessel for $1,400. Pagels will keep the tug berthed at the Estes Head pier for $425 a month until he moves the vessel, which is expected in April.
     The port authority had purchased the WWII-era tug for $65,000 from Winslow Marine in 2013. The port authority decided to sell the tug after it acquired the Jane McAllister. Initially it was listed for sale for $50,000, but no offers were received over a two-year period. Gardner notes that the sale will save the port authority between $5,000 and $8,000 in insurance costs a year. The port authority now owns three tugs.
     In other action at the port authority's January 23 meeting, Gardner reported that the Maine Department of Transportation has agreed to provide the funding for the refit of the breakwater's fendering system.
     Federal Marine Terminals' vice president of marketing, Matthew McPhail, who is based at FMT's Charlotte, N.C., office, attended the meeting to discuss some potential new port business in executive session.
     At the board's organizational meeting, John Sullivan was reelected chair of the board, Gilbert Murphy was elected vice chair, and Dean Pike was elected secretary/treasurer. New members of the board are Roscoe Archer, the president of the city council, and Ross Argir, the new city manager. Former council president Gilbert Murphy remains on the board as an elected member, while departing from the board are City Manager Elaine Abbott and long-time board member Jett Peterson.