Portland’s woes continue with reports of another key liner quitting the port

Portland: Tumbleweed looks set to blow through the container yards at the Port of Portland in America’s Pacific Northwest, with news that Hapag-Lloyd, the port’s last remaining big container client, is pulling out from the Oregon facility. Local newspaper, The Oregonian, reported that Hapag-Lloyd looks as if it has yanked its business from the port’s Terminal 6, which has been plagued more than most by bitter labour disputes. The terminal is run by Philippine operator, ICTSI.

Korea’s Hanjin Shipping quit Portland in February, taking nearly 80% of the port’s box business with it. If Hapag-Lloyd confirms its departure, it will mean only Westwood is left at the container terminal, a small operator with just a handful of services.