PORTLAND, Ore. — On Thursday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced a proposal of $40 million in state investment in order to keep the container port open at the Port of Portland's Terminal 6, according to a press release from Kotek's office.
Of that $40 million proposed, $35 million will come from the governor's 2025-2027 recommended budget, and $5 million will be requested from the legislative Emergency Board during its September meeting.
Of the $35 million coming from the governor's 2025-2027 recommended budget, $20 million will be dedicated towards a capital program that supports ports with active container service; $15 million of the $35 million will be allocated to initial state funding for costs affiliated with the Lower Columbia River Channel Management Plan; and the $5 million being requested from the legislative Emergency Board will go toward T6 operations, according to Kotek's office.
"After the Port of Portland's April announcement that container service would end this October, I heard from scores of producers throughout Oregon that relied on Terminal 6 to ship their goods," Kotek said in a statement. "Having represented the Port’s home district in the Oregon Legislature for many years, I understand that the terminal’s location makes container operations at Terminal 6 economically challenging. In response, I am proposing to invest $40 million in state funds to allow container service to continue and communicate my expectations for reliable and sustainable service moving forward."
Kotek has also requested a progress report from the Port of Portland regarding ongoing operations, and steps to reduces losses in the 2025 budget year and increase the number of containers moving through the terminal by August.
The Port of Portland announced in April that it was going to halt container service at Terminal 6 starting Oct. 1 of this year. At the time, the decision was communicated in a letter to Terminal 6 stakeholders, citing a third-party lease that the port was working to secure that fell through. The lease was "key to keeping the container business open, as well as the rationale for our funding request with the Legislature."
The same letter revealed that at the time the port did not have the "funding necessary to sustain operation," and that Kotek was notified.
On Thursday, the Port of Portland announced it would continue providing marine container shipping services at Terminal 6 due to the funding from the governor.
"We’re grateful for Governor Kotek’s declaration of support, and her commitment to maintaining this important piece of our economy," said Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold. "We are also extremely grateful for the strong backing from a bipartisan group of legislators who recognize the value of trade to businesses and communities throughout our state. With the support of the Oregon Legislature, container shipping at Terminal 6 will continue, along with the benefits it provides for Oregon businesses and the quality jobs it provides for our community. This level of government and community support is something Oregonians should be proud of."