A direct sail down the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the Pacific Ocean, you will find the Port of Anacortes. Located in Skagit County between Seattle, Washington, British Columbia, and Vancouver, the Port of Anacortes is a natural deep water port that is ideally situated for shipping to the Pacific Rim, Canada, and Alaska.

Beginning on July 1, 1998, Metro Ports became the operating party in charge of the export of bulk cargoes at the Port of Anacortes. To facilitate the movement of bulk products, Metro has designed a modular shiploader that resides and operates at the Port Dock Number 2 facility.

Current operations at Port Dock Number 2 include the handling of petroleum coke delivered from a local Texaco refinery. Petroleum coke received from Texaco is loaded onto vessels and barges, with an estimated throughput of 330,000 metric tons per year. To efficiently handle petroleum coke and other bulk commodities, such as sulfur, Metropolitan’s shiploader is capable of loading 1100 metric tons per hour and can accommodate up to "Panamax" size vessels.

Recognizing its responsibilities in controlling fugitive dust emissions to the local community and environment, Metro has employed innovative engineering solutions in its design of the shiploader. Incorporating environmental components that control emissions well below mandated regulations while providing quality product handling services are Metro’s and the Port’s core objectives.