Port of Portland reaches deal to sustain international container operations at Terminal 6

Today, the Port of Portland announced that container shipping will continue at Terminal 6, Oregon’s only active international container terminal, after approving a deal with Harbor Industrial. 

"Scores of businesses throughout Oregon rely on Terminal 6 to ship their goods," Governor Tina Kotek said. "Oregon communities will be better off because we came together and worked toward this shared goal."

“This is great news for the workers and businesses who rely on access to global shipping,” said Kimberly Branam, Chief Trade and Economic Development Officer at the Port. “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,” Branam added. “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.”

Terminal 6 is an important piece 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 1 in 8 jobs are tied to international trade, and a majority (88 percent) 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, which is how most container terminals are run due to the unique, and sometimes financially volatile, nature of the industry. This approach keeps the service intact, while keeping costs to the public manageable and 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 labor – 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 December 31, 2025. Operations will continue seamlessly during the transition.

"We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Port team in helping us reach this important milestone,” said Tim McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer of Harbor Industrial Services. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable support of the Governor’s office, state legislators, our local labor partners, and our committed team. With this agreement now in place, we are in a stronger position to provide regional shippers with the stability they need to grow their businesses, which in turn will drive economic growth and strengthen the local economy."

In June, Oregon legislators approved $20 million recommended by Gov. Tina Kotek for necessary capital improvements at the terminal. The Port and Harbor Industrial are committed to maintaining the significant benefits of shipping goods through Oregon ports and look forward to continued operations and growth of the container terminal.