In August, the first cement ship since 2009 docked at Pier 3 at the Port of Everett Seaport. The ship, carrying 32,000 tons of cement, took eight days to unload, and will be used to support construction efforts in the region. The bulk commodity was offloaded at the seaport with a vacuum and conveyer belt system. The cement is stored in a large dome that can accommodate approximately 60,000 tons of cement. The cement is transported by Lehigh Hansen, a subsidiary of Heidelberg Cement. The company signed a 20-year lease with the Port of Everett in 2006, but only after a few shipments, the Great Recession severely limited the demand for cement in the region. “The return of the cement shipments is a sign that we are finally on the upswing after such a long period of economic downturn,” Executive Director John Mohr said. “While the construction activity in the region hasn’t reached pre-recession levels, we are encouraged by the return of the shipments.” The return of the cement shipments means jobs. Cement operations at the Port generate an estimated 35 jobs, many of which include members of the local Longshoremen’s Union who off-load the ships. Further, the operation generates approximately 100 additional jobs by way of truck drivers, rail operators, tug operators and ship’s crew.