Nutrien pursuing plans for west coast terminal in Washington

Nutrien, Saskatchewan-based potash giant, is pursuing plans for a west coast terminal in Washington.

Saskatchewan-based potash giant Nutrien is taking the next step of securing an ocean terminal on the west coast, but not in Canada.

Nutrien has identified the Port of Longview in Washington as its preferred location for a potential ocean terminal and is currently negotiating terms for long-term tenancy, the company announced Tuesday.

The proposed facility would create additional deep-water access in the Pacific Northwest able to “move millions of tonnes of Canadian potash efficiently to global markets” while complementing Nutrien’s existing export infrastructure.

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Existing facilities include the Port of Saint John in New Brunswick and a “significant stake” in Neptune Terminal in Vancouver, B.C.

Nutrien’s decision to pursue port capacity south of the border was cause for concern for those at the legislature Tuesday.

The Saskatchewan NDP called on Premier Scott Moe to consult with B.C. Premier David Eby on access to the Port of Vancouver and to better advocate for Canadian industry and jobs.

“We’re losing major infrastructure projects to the U.S. because this government is missing in action,” NDP MLA Sally Houser said during question period.

The premier proceeded to accuse New Democrats across the country of stifling investment and progress.

“We see much investment being targeted for the west coast of our continent and then we see an NDP premier stand up, that premier says we don’t want oil in this port because we can’t get a boat into it,” Moe replied. “Then that same NDP policy-making premier questions why another industry isn’t making that very investment in our nation?”

Facing further criticism from the Opposition, Moe pointed to other mineral and grain-related projects that have proceeded in the province such as the BHP Jansen Mine, the Cargill canola crush plant near Regina and the McIlvenna Bay mine in northern Saskatchewan.

A final investment decision from Nutrien regarding its presence in Washington is expected sometime in 2027.