Port of Portland (Oregon)

Port of Portland
Marine Terminal 6
Location
Country	United States
Location	Portland, Oregon
Details
Opened	1891
Main imports	Automobiles, steel, and limestone
Main exports	Wheat, soda ash, potash, and hay
Statistics
Annual cargo value	US$14 billion

The Port of Portland is the port district responsible for overseeing Portland International Airport, general aviation, and marine activities in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area in the United States.

The Oregon Legislative Assembly created the Port of Portland in 1891. The current incarnation was created by the 1970 legislature, combining the original Port with the Portland Commission of Public Docks, a city agency dating from 1910.

History

Portland Harbor in the early 1900s

The Port of Portland's administration was embroiled in questionable business practices in the early 1930s. Port authorities, including James H. Polhemus, the general manager of the port from 1923–1936, were found guilty of mismanagement, both through conflict of interest and cronyism, as well as negligence, sale of equipment at lower than assessed prices, carelessness, and preferential treatment of some private shippers. Much of the blame was because of discounted rates for using the port's dry dock. Companies specifically named as beneficiaries of this graft were McCormick Steamship Company and States Steamship Company. The investigating committee called for the resignation of Polhemus and other staff.

On November 20, 1933, shortly after the commission found Polhemus and his staff guilty, professional auditor Frank Akin was found shot to death. His murder was never solved, leading to many conspiracy theories. In mid-December, the Port commissioners voted to reject the investigating committee brief, meaing Polhemus was exonerated. Polhemus stayed with the Port for another three years before becoming a vice president at Portland General Electric. MacColl summarized the events in 1979, saying this:

clearly revealed the political nature of the Port of Portland Commission. It has always been embroiled in politics; it is still embroiled in politics.... The unpaid job of Port commissioner remains one of the choicest rewards that a governor can bestow upon his close friends and largest political backers. The very nature of this kind of an appointive process is fraught with potential conflicts of interest.

Jurisdiction

The Port of Portland has been considered a regional government with jurisdiction in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties since 1973.

Nine commissioners regulate the organization; they are appointed by the Governor and approved by the State Senate. Each commissioner serves a four-year term and can be reinstated to the same post indefinitely. One requirement of commissioners is that, of the nine, two must live in each of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties while the remaining three are free to live where they choose.

Commissioners elect the Port of Portland's executive director who oversees the daily operations of the port.

Commissioners meet monthly to discuss the policies of the Port of Portland.

Ownership

• Four marine terminals
• Six business parks
• Three airports
  • Portland International Airport
  • Troutdale Airport
  • Hillsboro Airport

Marine terminals

Port of Portland from St. John's Bridge

Port of Portland's marine terminals export the largest amount of wheat from the United States and third largest amount in the world. It is also the fifth largest port for tonnage, third largest auto import gateway in the country, the largest mineral bulk port on the U.S. west coast, and the 17th largest port for cargo containers in the United States.^{[citation needed]}

Marine terminals are located along the Willamette River and the Columbia River. Terminals are served by rail (Union Pacific and BNSF railroads), connecting interstates, and river barges. Around one thousand businesses and corporations are said to use the Port's marine facilities.^{[citation needed]}

Major exports are wheat, soda ash, potash, and hay; major imports are automobiles, steel, and limestone.

Imports and exports at the Port of Portland total about $14 billion USD, annually.

The Port's terminal facilities (T-2, T-4, and T-5 are on the Willamette; T-6 is on the Columbia):

Terminal T-2

• 49 acres (198,000 m²)
  • Roll on/off cargo
  • Break Bulk
  • Bulk

Terminal T-4

• 280 acres (1.1 km²)
  • Grain shipping
  • Liquid shipping
  • Mineral shipping
  • Auto shipping

Terminal T-5

• 200 acres (809,000 m²)
  • Grain shipping
  • Minerals shipping
  • Warehouse/manufacturing

Terminal T-6

• 488 acres (2.0 km²)
  • Cargo containers
  • Auto shipping
  • Rail yard access and operation

Business parks

The Port of Portland owns several business parks in the Portland metropolitan area:

• Rivergate Industrial District
  • 2,800 acres (11 km²)
  • Located 9 miles (14 km) NW of downtown Portland
  • Operates two marine terminals
  • Rail access (Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads)

• Swan Island Industrial Park and Port Center
  • 430 acres (1.7 km²)
  • 4.5 miles (7 km) north of downtown Portland
  • Rail access (Union Pacific)

• Mocks Landing
  • 150 acres (607,000 m²)
  • Rail access (Union Pacific)
  • Near Swan Island Industrial Park and Port Center

• Portland International Center
  • 458 acres (1.9 km²)
  • At Portland International Airport
  • Rail access (MAX Light Rail)

• Troutdale Industrial Park
  • 75 acres (304,000 m²)
  • At the Troutdale Airport

• Brookwood Corporate Park
  • 32 acres (129,000 m²)
  • At the Hillsboro Airport

Airports

The Portland International Airport (PDX) serves the commercial, passenger, transport needs of the Portland Metro area, while Hillsboro Airport serves the air cargo and shipping needs. Troutdale airport serves general aviation needs of the metro area.

The Port of Portland owned general aviation field Mulino Airport from 1988 until it was transferred to the Oregon Department of Aviation July 1, 2009

See also

• Port of Portland Police Department

External links

• The Port of Portland