The Port of Portland has submitted a comprehensive business plan to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek outlining strategies to maintain container service at Terminal 6, the state’s only international container terminal.

The plan emphasizes the critical role of container shipping in Oregon’s economy and calls for public investment to keep it running.

“This is a critical part of Oregon’s economy and we urgently need financial support from the state to continue serving trucking companies across Oregon,” said Curtis Robinhold, executive director of the Port of Portland, stressing the urgency of the financial support.

The report, supported by an advisory board of industry experts and stakeholders, highlights the economic impact of maintaining container service at the port and its broader economic benefits to the state, creating 1,500 family-wage jobs and generating $20 million in annual state and local tax revenue.

“Container services provide hundreds of jobs locally and many more in related industries and communities. The people who work these jobs spend their money locally, supporting shippers and industries across the state,” said Leal Sundet, secretary of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 8.

To address financial challenges, the port has negotiated new tariffs, labor efficiencies and fee reductions with shipping companies and is also developing strategies to double container volumes over the next five to seven years.

Governor Kotek, meanwhile, has proposed a $40 million state investment for Terminal 6, including $5 million for immediate operational support and $35 million in her 2025-27 budget for capital improvements and channel maintenance. The funding must be approved by the House in September and during the 2025 legislative session.

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