Could the Port of Bellingham be involved in the future of Point Roberts Marina?
It’s been about a year since the 152-acre facility and surrounding land was listed for sale for $25 million (US). Unsubstantiated reports suggest that price has since dropped to $20 million. Among those showing interest in the 43-year-old marina is the Port of Bellingham.
“The Port and Point Roberts Marina have had several different conversations regarding partnerships that ranged from mutual training opportunities to management and ownership of the marina. To date those talks haven’t been fruitful, but we are always open to further dialogue,” confirmed Elliott Smith, Director or Real Estate and Asset Management for the Port of Bellingham.
Beijing businessman Gao Zhu and Chinese billionaire Chen Yihong bought the marina back in 2015 for $27 million. They spent another $4 million on upgrades. It features more than 900 moorage slips, a customs dock, fuel barge, a 35-ton haul out complete with the Westwind-operated marine shop. The property also includes 62 acres for future development.
The marina was hit hard back in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic initially struck and the Canada/U.S. border was subsequently closed to non-essential travel for an extended period. That resulted in more than 600 Canadian owned boats being re-located to the Metro Vancouver area.
During the border closure, the Port of Bellingham operated a free twice-a-week foot passenger ferry service from Point Roberts to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal at Fairhaven Station. The two-hour trip was on the 100-foot Salish Express, operated by San Juan Cruises.
The Port of Bellingham already operates Squalicum Harbor, Blaine Harbor, Bellingham Cruise Terminal and the Bellingham Shipping Terminal.
