Overnight noise expected as more large cranes arrive at Port of Bellingham
Residents and businesses living and operating near the Bellingham Shipping Terminal may notice an increase in lighting and noise levels overnight next week as more large cranes are expected to be offloaded at the waterfront site.
Three decommissioned cranes from the Port of Seattle will be transported by barge on June 1, the Port announced Friday.
The cranes will be disassembled at the shipping terminal’s upgraded heavy-lift area and prepared for transport. It’s the second time an operation like this will occur this year at the Port after two large cranes from the Port of Tacoma were disassembled locally at the beginning of the year.
“Well … It went so smoothly they’re bringing more,” the Port said in a social media post about the planned crane arrival.
The cranes need to be offloaded from the barge during high-tide conditions, the Port said. So much of the work to unload them is expected to occur overnight, potentially elevating lighting and noise levels during operations.
This work is possible as a result of the Port’s two-year, $27.5 million terminal modernization project, which began in early 2024 with the goal of job creation, dock restoration, increasing water depth and installing a new stormwater system.
By this year, the Bellingham Shipping Terminal was projected to generate $1 million in wages and 1,200 shifts for dockworkers, with growth expected to reach $3.4 million in wages and 3,600 shifts by 2029, Port of Bellingham spokesperson Mike Hogan previously told The Herald.
Whatcom County’s maritime industry as a whole brings in $1.6 billion in business revenue, 6,400 jobs and $416 million in labor income, according to previous Herald reporting.
Those interested in following along with vessel activity associated with the Port of Bellingham can sign up for email and text alerts online at the Port’s website.
