BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Port of Bellingham is getting federal support to upgrade its shipping terminal.

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen’s office announced on Wednesday, July 1, that the Port is receiving $23.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The funds will help the port carry out Phase 2 of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal’s North Pier Rehabilitation project. The port plans to rebuild the aging pier, double its load capacity and upgrade its mooring system.

In a letter of support, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell said the replacement marks the final step toward fully activating the shipping terminal.

She wrote that the upgraded pier would create enough work for 48 extra longshore workers per shift and generate an estimated $12 million in annual economic impact for Whatcom County.

“This grant is a major milestone in our long-term effort to modernize the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, strengthen our active working waterfront and create and sustain family-wage jobs for our ILWU workforce, skilled tradespeople and the broader maritime economy,” Port Commission President Michael Shepard said in a news release.

“Strategic infrastructure investments like this are critical to maintaining an active shipping terminal, attracting new cargo opportunities and supporting living-wage careers that help local families thrive,” Shepard continued. “Every new vessel call generates economic activity that supports jobs on the docks, in the trades and throughout Whatcom County.”