Marine fueling station starts operations in Port of Olympia

The Port of Olympia, Washington, announced that the long-anticipated Swantown Marine Fueling Station is ready for business and, from now on, is open seven days a week, in order to broaden the port’s support of commercial maritime activities in the area.

Since 1999, there has been no option for marine fueling services in the downtown Olympia area. In 2008, the Port received a petition signed by about 800 citizens requesting the Port to install a fueling facility at Swantown Marina. As a result, in 2011, the Port Commission directed Port staff to develop a Marine Fueling Facility Feasibility Study.

After six years of planning, permitting, design and public involvement, the Port Commission approved the construction of a Marine Fueling Station at Swantown Marina at its September 12, 2016 Commission meeting.

“Swantown is now a full-service marina, which will not only make access easier for local boaters, but help promote tourism in Thurston County. The fact that we also will operate the most environmentally-friendly facility in Puget Sound is a particular source of pride,” stated Ed Galligan, Executive Director.

All safety compliance features meet, or exceed, those required by regulatory agencies as well as those identified by the Petroleum Equipment Institute for marina fueling systems.

Over the past six years, the Port has undertaken a comprehensive evaluation and engagement process to determine the feasibility of constructing a financially-viable marine fueling facility. Key activities and milestones include:

• Twenty public open houses, meetings and briefings.

• Marine Fueling Station Feasibility Study.

• Local Boater Fuel Consumption Survey.

• Development of alternative financial evaluation scenarios.

• Secured permits from ten different federal, state, and local agencies.

The Port evaluated and developed a project that shows the facility will, over time:

• Generate new revenue for the Port.

• Meet or exceed the Port’s financial goals.

• Complete the evolution of Swantown into a full-service marina.

• Meet or exceed environmental and safety requirements.

• Meet the needs of local and visitor boaters.

• Help to stimulate tourism and local tax revenue.