Harbor Industrial to operate Portland port's Terminal 6

Harbor Industrial Services Inc. will become the long-term operator of Port of Portland's Terminal 6, Oregon’s only international container terminal, under a new agreement.

Currently, the terminal is operated by both the port and Harbor Industrial, which serves as stevedore and an intermediary between the port and labor. The new framework agreement establishes a timeline and terms to be solidified in the coming six months, port officials said in a press release.

The Port Commission is slated to vote on the new lease in summer 2025, after which additional details will be made public.

The agreement assumes that the port will receive $5 million in Oregon state support to stem ongoing losses from container operations. Additionally, the agreement is contingent on receiving a $20 million state investment toward capital improvements. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s recommended state budget includes such funding.

In August, port officials delivered plans to keep Terminal 6 open as part of efforts to rebuild and grow service there. The port took over operations in 2018 following a temporary shutdown by its former operator. 

"We’re confident that with Harbor on board as a long-term operator, increasing container volumes and adequate state investment to keep marine trade moving, Terminal 6 will continue providing widespread benefits for Oregon for many years to come,” said Port Executive Director Curtis Robinhold.

Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway Co. serve the port's Terminal 6.