Following the acquisition of Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview, Ambre Energy broadened its investigations into potential coal terminal sites across the west and south of the US. Limited opportunities directly on the west coast led the company to sites further inland up the Columbia River.

Drawing inspiration from successful coal barging operations in other parts of the US and worldwide, Ambre Energy began negotiations with the Port of Morrow, a site offering ample river frontage for barge loading infrastructure, excellent rail and highway access and rail links to Powder River Basin coal.

On 11 May 2011, the Port of Morrow Commission approved a one-year lease option with Ambre Energy subsidiary, Coyote Island Terminal, LLC, over approximately 24 acres of upland and approximately 15 acres of waterfront adjacent to the Port’s rail loop in order to construct, own and operate a marine terminal business known as the Morrow Pacific project.

The Port of Morrow is located near Boardman, Oregon, approximately 272 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River. The Union Pacific transcontinental rail line, also historically used by BNSF, provides the Port with a direct rail link to coal mines in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, including Ambre Energy’s mining operations at Decker and Black Butte.

When fully operational, covered barges will transport coal down the Columbia River to a selected transloading site, where the coal will be transferred from barges to ocean going vessels.

Ambre Energy expects to make significant progress on this development over the coming year with a goal to barge and ship first coal to Asia in 2013/14.

Read more at the Morrow Pacific Project website