Above: Vancouver Bulk Terminal (VBT) prior to new terminal development
 
In May 2025, the Port of Vancouver USA, Vancouver Bulk Terminal (VBT), and Solvay broke ground on what will become a state-of-the-art export facility for U.S.-sourced soda ash. Scheduled to open in 2026, the new terminal will have the capacity to transload more than 3 million tons of soda ash annually. This investment will support significant economic activity, generate new family-wage jobs and strengthen the region’s role in global trade.
 
Soda ash is a key ingredient in the production of glass for solar panels and in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. Synthetic soda ash is currently available from China, although manufacturers have increasingly faced quality and processing issues. The soda ash deposit in Wyoming is the largest naturally occurring trona-based source in the world. It provides a higher quality product and is abundant enough to support long-term production for decades to come. VBT’s new terminal will create a critical supply chain link between this domestic resource and global clean-energy markets.
 
Before construction of the new facility could begin, crews began clearing the site’s aging infrastructure used for decades in the handling of bulk cargos including copper concentrate, bentonite clay and shredded tires. This work included the removal of multiple buildings, a conveyor and a ship loader located within an environmental cleanup area. The project requires meticulous planning with the Washington State Department of Ecology to ensure the safe handling and removal of legacy materials from the site.
 
Crews work to remove loader from Berth 7
 
To protect the environment during construction, the port and VBT implemented a series of rigorous measures:
 
  • Planning for the removal and proper disposal of approximately 8,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil from historic industrial uses.
  • Daily onsite oversight by port representatives to ensure compliance with strict environmental construction requirements.
  • Dust-control systems that include trackout control mats at construction entrances, daily sweeping and the use of foggers and dust suppression water nozzles to minimize airborne particulates.
  • Weekly coordination meetings between VBT and Port of Vancouver USA teams to guide construction activities, storage and disposal of contaminated materials and proper handling and disposal of dismantled equipment.
As work continues into next year, the project remains on schedule and continues to demonstrate how industrial development and environmental stewardship can move forward together.