The Port of Portland has announced that container shipping will continue at Terminal 6, Oregon’s only active international container terminal, after approving a deal with Harbor Industrial.
Terminal 6 is an important part of Oregon’s economic infrastructure, with container service supporting 1,500 family wage jobs and countless businesses across the state.
Oregon is one of just 11 states with a trade surplus, exporting $42 billion of goods and services each year.
At least one in eight jobs are tied to international trade, and a majority (88 per cent) of the state’s exporters are small or medium businesses.
The port has been rebuilding container service since 2018 and working to secure a private operating partner, the model used at most container terminals due to the volatile nature of the industry.
This keeps the service intact while keeping costs to the public predictable.
The deal with Harbor affirms the company’s transition from stevedore – an industry term for a company that serves as an intermediary between the port and labour – to become the terminal’s long-term operator, a model common at container ports nationwide.
Harbor will take over container and breakbulk operations at Terminal 6 by 31 December 2025. Operations will continue seamlessly during the transition.
In June, Oregon legislators approved $20 million recommended by Governor Tina Kotek for capital improvements at the terminal.
Governor Tina Kotek said: “Scores of businesses throughout Oregon rely on Terminal 6 to ship their goods. Oregon communities will be better off because we came together and worked toward this shared goal.”
Kimberly Branam, Chief Trade and Economic Development Officer at the Port, stated: “This is great news for the workers and businesses who rely on access to global shipping. A thriving Oregon economy relies on international trade, whether you’re a business owner, a farmer, a rancher, or a consumer anywhere in the state.”
“We couldn’t have done this without Governor Kotek and the Legislature’s support. With their investment, and the strong relationships we have with partners like Harbor, we’re able to keep container service available for the local businesses and workers who need it.”
Last month, the U.S. Coast Guard achieved a historic milestone by offloading over 76,140 pounds of illicit narcotics at Port Everglades, Florida.
