ICTSI to seek other liner service for Portland container terminal

Substantial market demand in Portland region exists for exporting and importing goods to and from Asia, says terminal operator.    International Container Terminal Service, Inc. (ICTSI), operator of Terminal 6 at the Port of Portland, will seek a new ocean liner carrier to serve the Oregon port’s container terminal.
   Container carrier Hanjin announced last week it will end calls at the port, where it has faced interruptions due to a labor-management conflict between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and ICTSI Oregon.
   “We know that there is substantial market demand in this region for exporting and importing goods to and from Asia through the Port of Portland. As a result, we will be taking calculated steps, in conjunction with the Port of Portland, toward seeking new carriers that can capitalize on the opportunities to serve this market created by Hanjin’s departure,” said Elvis J. Ganda, chief executive officer of the ICTSI’s North America operations.
   “This will be a difficult task, given that the situation at Terminal 6 goes much deeper and has been going on much longer than the current labor dispute at other West Coast ports,” Ganda added. “We are hopeful, however, that the ILWU will cease its work stoppages and slowdowns and work with us in a cooperative venture to provide a thriving and productive container terminal for the good of the Columbia River region. We are certainly willing to work with the ILWU to that important end.”