Portland Container Terminal Left High and Dry

German container line Hapag-Lloyd has decided to exclude further calls to the US Port of Portland from its Mediterranean Pacific Service (MPS), with the MV Seaspan Dalian leaving the West Coast port for the last time within the service on March 28.

The terminal operator ICTSI Oregon said that, coupled with Hanjin´s recent announcement to leave Portland and discontinue its Asia service, Hapag-Lloyd’s departure will adversely affect regional businesses that rely on Terminal 6.

However, the operator says it remains committed to this region and will forge ahead to seek new direct container service to Asia and Europe.

”Retaining and attracting new carriers to Terminal 6 is our highest priority. However, attracting new business will be a challenging task.” ICTSI Oregon said in a statement.

”For Terminal 6 to be successful, the ILWU must signal to potential container shipping lines that its almost three-year campaign of work stoppages, slowdowns, and safety gimmicks at Terminal 6 has come to an end. While ICTSI Oregon will continue efforts to attract new customers, no carrier will want to make a long-term commitment to the terminal so long as ILWU workers delay cargo and vessels as a strong-arm tactic to get what they want. We hold the ILWU fully accountable for its actions; therefore, it is imperative that the ILWU leadership in San Francisco publicly commit that its efforts to interfere with productivity in Portland are over.”