PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles’ first-quarter budget figures are better than expected, since tanker repairs and log exports continue to run ahead of early budget estimates.
The port’s first-quarter budget was 12 percent above what had been forecast, due mostly to decreased expenses, which offset decreased profits, said Bill James, port director of finance, on Monday.
Overall, log loads are down from 2011 — but are above 2012 estimates.
“We’ve had a lot of container activity,” James said.
Log yard container loads increased dramatically from 26 in the first quarter of 2011 to 291 in 2012, he said.
At the same time, log ships decreased from seven in 2011 to three in 2012.
Marinas
The port’s marinas have earned $44,000 less than expected, including a loss of $30,000 at John Wayne Marina on Sequim Bay.
The loss at John Wayne Marina is at least partially due to a boat explosion in January, James said.
The explosion, caused by a leaking propane tank, killed 78-year-old Keith Bryant, destroyed his boat and caused varying degrees of damage to the boats around it.
A number of damaged boats left the marina after the explosion, James said.
The port expects to receive at least some of the boat slip rental losses through insurance claims, he said.
The other two marinas are the Port Angeles Boat Haven and Port Angeles Boat Yard.
Ireland visit
The port plans to send two representatives to join a state contingent to visit wave energy-generation companies in Great Britain on July 4-12 at the invitation of Gov. Chris Gregoire.
This would be the second international event attended by the port this year.
The last visit, to the JEC Composites Show in Paris in April, already is paying off in the form of international composites businesses considering locating new operations on the North Olympic Peninsula, Jeff Robb, port executive director, has said.
Several Irish companies are on the cutting edge of wave and tidal energy technology, said Commissioner Colleen McAleer, the port’s marketing and property manager.
The port has been investigating the possibility of locating wave energy businesses in Clallam County for several years, she added.
“The leaders in offshore energy production are in Ireland. It’s great to get some of those introductions,” said Commissioner John Calhoun.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.