Port statement on Westwood Shipping departure, Port of Portland, May 18, 2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NEWS RELEASE

Port of Portland
For Immediate Release – May 18, 2016 – No. 28
Melanie Mesaros – (503) 415-6054 – [email protected]

Port statement on Westwood Shipping departure

Westwood Shipping announced to customers their last call to Portland will be May 21. In a letter to customers the Puyallup-based shipping company cited economics of a single call per month do not justify continued Portland service.

While we are disappointed with this news, we also understand the underlying economics of the carrier industry are at play like over-capacity and exceptionally low rates. We are hopeful that Westwood will return to T-6 when market dynamics improve.

We very much appreciate Westwood’s support and partnership over the last few years. Our marketing team will continue to focus on recruitment of new carrier service and assist shippers with access to markets.

Westwood has called Portland’s Terminal 6 with container service since July 2010. After Hanjin and Hapag-Lloyd pulled out in March 2015 Westwood suspended service in April, but returned with monthly export calls last July.

Each call to Portland took about 150 containers of hay, grass seed, dried fruits, other mixed agricultural goods and paperboard for export to Japan.

Bulk, breakbulk and auto operations at terminals 2, 4, 5 and 6 are not impacted.

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