Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Amethyst

In a significant milestone, the Port of Everett has witnessed its first timber shipment to Japan in nearly ten years. The container ship Andalucian Zephyr departed the port in December, carrying an impressive 2.2 million board feet—equivalent to 11,000 tons—of high-quality Douglas fir. This journey began at the Port of Everett, after which the vessel made a stop at Longview for additional logs before setting sail for Matsunaga, Japan. The Port partnered with Forest Marketing Enterprises, a local company, to facilitate this crucial delivery, tapping into Japan’s traditionally competitive market for West Coast timber. Eric Warren, the president of Forest Marketing, expressed optimism regarding the venture, stating, “The goal in-house for awhile has been to resurrect the Japanese business. The benefit it would bring here is far-reaching.” Currently, the logs are undergoing assessment by Toa Construction in Matsunaga. Warren noted that the local timber surpasses offerings from heavily harvested regions in southern Washington, enhancing its appeal to Japanese customers. If the logs meet the quality expectations of the market, there is potential for additional shipments to commence by the third or fourth quarter of this year, heralding a revival in trade relations between the Pacific Northwest and Japan.