The Daily News reports that the reopened terminal will boost employment to 120 during the grain-handling season, about double the current staffing. Temco handled about 2.75 million tons of grain exports in 2013 before closing for renovations in January of this year.
Although the first vessel arrived in mid-November, the terminal is not fully operational because Temco will be performing equipment testing throughout December, said Temco spokeswoman Lani Jordan. Company officials would not provide a firm date for when the terminal will reopen for business.
Jordan said the renovations include a new vessel dock and loading equipment, new rail and barge receiving machinery and upgraded grain cleaners. The improved terminal can handle up to 200 million bushels of grain per year, as much as Temco’s Tacoma terminal, according to the company.