Aberdeen, WA – Every detail was in place. Hundreds of brand new Chrysler automobiles were washed, wrapped and being expertly loaded aboard the impressive roll-on/roll-off vessel the M/V Positive Passion as officials gathered to mark the beginning of a relationship that will secure the Pacific Northwest’s position in the export of Chrysler automobiles.

The Pasha Group, a diversified global transportation services and logistics company headquartered in Corte Madera, California, announced in December that the Chrysler Group LLC had selected their automotive facilities at the Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen, Washington, to support their export vehicle requirements from the Pacific Northwest to selected destinations in Asia. This January shipment marks the beginning of monthly shipments through Grays Harbor.

The Port of Grays Harbor is Washington’s only deep-water port located directly on the Pacific Coast and is a central Pacific Northwest location, with strong transportation connections. The Union Pacific Railroad, with key inland auto ramps, makes direct calls to the terminal with Chrysler product. Railcars and accessorial equipment are available on terminal for inland backhaul.

George Pasha, IV, President and CEO of The Pasha Group notes, “The Pasha Automotive Services team at Grays has spent dedicated time over the last month to create perfect processing for the Chrysler vehicles as they arrive by rail, and Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals, working in tandem with the automotive group and local labor unions, are experts at loading vessels such as the Positive Passion. Grays Harbor is an ideal gateway for future business. It boasts many advantages geographically. More important - the community is extremely capable, professional and eager to support new business. We have been tremendously impressed with the ‘can do’ attitude and the unwavering commitment and support we have experienced thus far. We look forward to being a meaningful part of the success story here in Aberdeen and Grays Harbor.”

"Our partners, Pasha Automotive, Praxis Logistics and Partner Shipping, have provided the professional expertise and high level of service this new opportunity required to make these regular shipments a success," reports Port Commission President Jack Thompson. "We are confident that this level of service combined with Grays Harbor's strategic location, infrastructure and labor force will make this export operation just the beginning of additional trade through our Port."

Chrysler has selected the NAPA Service (North American Pacific Asia) jointly owned by Praxis Logistics PL and Partner Shipping AS to carry this traffic to various Asian destinations. Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals (PST) is the West Coast stevedore of choice for the NAPA service. PST is a specialist in the stevedoring of automobiles, as well as Over High & Wide and breakbulk cargoes.

“Our partners have been instrumental in securing this job creating business for Grays Harbor and we thank them for their commitment to our community,” expressed Port Executive Director Gary Nelson. “As one of Washington’s oldest ports, Grays Harbor has a strong tradition of providing expert labor and facilities to North American shippers, while affording them a strategic advantage due to our proximity to open sea and Pacific Rim trading partners.”

The Port of Grays Harbor operates 4 deepwater marine terminals and hundreds of acres of marine industrial property. Only 1-1&Mac218;2 vessel hours from open sea, Grays Harbor offers rail and highway access to markets throughout North America. More information on Pasha and its diverse business units can be found at pashagroup.com.