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Port of Portland (Oregon)
Encyclopedia
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.
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:
, 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.
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.
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 barge
s. Around one thousand businesses and corporations are said to use the Port's marine facilities.
Major exports are wheat, soda ash, potash
, and hay
; major imports are automobile
s, 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
Terminal T-4
Terminal T-5
Terminal T-6
(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
Portland International Airport
Portland International Airport is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in the U.S. state of Oregon, accounting for 90% of passenger travel and more than 95% of air cargo of the state. It is located within Portland's city limits just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah...
, general aviation, and marine activities in the Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
metropolitan area
Portland metropolitan area
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area , also known as the Portland metropolitan area or Greater Portland, is an urban area in the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington centered around the city of Portland, Oregon. The U.S...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
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
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
, 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
Dry dock
A drydock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform...
. Companies specifically named as beneficiaries of this graft
Graft (politics)
In general graft is an unscrupulous use of one’s authority for personal gain. However, the gain may also end up in party coffers...
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
Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric is an electrical utility based in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. It distributes electricity to customers in parts of Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, and Polk counties - half of the inhabitants of Oregon...
. 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 MultnomahMultnomah County, Oregon
Multnomah County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city...
, Washington
Washington County, Oregon
- Major highways :* Interstate 5* Interstate 205* U.S. Route 26* Oregon Route 6* Oregon Route 8* Oregon Route 10* Oregon Route 47* Oregon Route 99W* Oregon Route 210* Oregon Route 217* Oregon Route 219-Demographics:...
and Clackamas
Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named after the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas Indians, who were part of the Chinookan people. As of 2010, the population was 375,992...
counties since 1973.
Nine commissioners regulate the organization; they are appointed by the Governor
Governor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
and approved by the State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
. 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 AirportPortland International AirportPortland International Airport is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in the U.S. state of Oregon, accounting for 90% of passenger travel and more than 95% of air cargo of the state. It is located within Portland's city limits just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah...
- Troutdale AirportTroutdale AirportPortland-Troutdale Airport is a public use airport located 10 nautical miles east of the central business district of Portland, in Multnomah County, Oregon, United States. Also known as Troutdale Airport, it is located in Troutdale...
- Hillsboro AirportHillsboro AirportHillsboro Airport , also known as Portland-Hillsboro Airport, is the name of a corporate, general aviation and flight-training airport serving the city of Hillsboro, in Washington County, Oregon, USA. It is one of four airports in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area owned and operated by the...
- Portland International Airport
Marine terminals
Port of Portland's marine terminals export the largest amount of wheatWheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
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
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
, and the 17th largest port for cargo containers in the United States.
Marine terminals are located along the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
and the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
. Terminals are served by rail (Union Pacific and BNSF
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
railroads), connecting interstates
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
, and river barge
Barge
A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Some barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats...
s. Around one thousand businesses and corporations are said to use the Port's marine facilities.
Major exports are wheat, soda ash, potash
Potash
Potash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. In some rare cases, potash can be formed with traces of organic materials such as plant remains, and this was the major historical source for it before the industrial era...
, and hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
; major imports are automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s, steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
, and limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
.
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 FeBNSF RailwayThe BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
and Union PacificUnion Pacific RailroadThe Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
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 AirportPortland International Airport
Portland International Airport is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in the U.S. state of Oregon, accounting for 90% of passenger travel and more than 95% of air cargo of the state. It is located within Portland's city limits just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah...
(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