ICTSI’s foreign unit luring new carriers to Port of Portland

MANILA, Philippines - An overseas unit of port giant International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is luring new carriers to Terminal 6 of the Port of Portland as Korea’s Hanjin is set to pull out next month amid work stoppages.

ICTSI Oregon Inc. said in a statement that the port operator is focusing on getting new carriers after Hanjin decided to stop calling on the world-class port starting March 9 due to the work stoppages and slowdowns from members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

 “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,” the company said.

Finding new carriers, the company said, would 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.

 “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,” it added.

Despite Hanjin’s pull out, ICTSI remains committed to its investments in the Port of Portland.

The port operator owned by port and gaming mogul Enrique Razon Jr. has 20 years remaining in its lease and partnership with the Port of Portland.

ICTSI said ILWU engaged in approximately 36 work stoppages and slowdowns of various types and for varying durations during the Christmas holidays. It added that similar efforts, along with intentional labor shortages, have continued into the first month of 2015.

ILWU ordered a 12-hour work stoppage commencing at 7 a.m. and some members worked during the morning but walked off the job without notice at 1:15 p.m.

The port operator pointed out that productivity at Terminal 6 continued to fall well below acceptable historical levels.  ILWU labor was producing approximately 24.8 moves per hour prior to the labor dispute that started in June 2012. However, ILWU labor productivity fell 47 percent to 13.2 moves per hour in the last quarter of 2014.

Terminal 6 is the only international shipping container terminal in Oregon and is a powerful economic engine to the region that offers significant benefits to thousands of businesses, workers and consumers.