While 2020 was a year of uncertainty and supply chain disruption, we know that 2021 is going to bring its own set of challenges. Small and medium-sized ports may be well-positioned to address them.
As a unique port situated inland on the Columbia River, the Port of Portland didn’t experience the magnitude of congestion issues that many ports saw in 2020. In fact, we added new container shipping service at the start of the year. SM Line now calls weekly at Terminal 6, with the container service experiencing strong productivity numbers. Over the summer, the terminal welcomed its largest vessel ever, and MSC containers were added to the rotation through a -vessel-sharing agreement with SM Line.
This service has been instrumental in connecting regional shippers to critical international markets. With the flexibility our most versatile terminal provides, we believe there’s still room for us to grow.
Terminal 6 remains -congestion-free for shippers of all kinds. Our ILWU Local 8 workers have been great partners who are committed to high productivity and our health and safety measures. With almost 200 acres of multi-use space and an intermodal yard, we keep containers and project cargo moving quickly and efficiently. Direct rail service includes a regular shuttle to the Puget Sound ports.
As a leading auto port on the West Coast, we weathered the uncertainty of 2020 and began to settle back into normal operations by the fall. We also welcomed new auto partners: General Motors began importing vehicles, while Fiat Chrysler Automobiles began exporting vehicles through Portland in 2020.
Last year threw a lot at us, and we’re grateful for our longshore workers and partners who kept things moving safely. With economists predicting further disruptions in 2021, niche ports like ours offer the flexibility to adapt to these changes.