Does the New Executive Director Mean There Will Be New Directions?
The commissioners of the Port of Portland have selected their current deputy executive director, Curtis Robinhold, as the new Executive Director of the port. He will replace retiring Executive Director Bill Wyatt effective July 1, 2017. Here is the link to the news release: http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/05/23/port-of-portland-chooses-familiar-face-for-new.html
We congratulate Curtis Robinhold on his new appointment and wish him well. The challenge he will face is to continue the success of the Port in certain areas such as the PDX airport, but to move the Port in a fresh direction in regard to marine operations, especially the absolute lack of container ships at Terminal 6 at the Port.
Another challenge for the new Executive Director is to get the Port to revisit its narrow and obsolete Mission Statement. Under Oregon Law (ORS 778.015), the Port’s mission is stated as follows:
The Port of Portland is directed to promote the maritime, shipping, aviation, commercial and industrial interests of the port.
We take the position that this mission should include not only the best interests of the Port but the best interests of the people of the state of Oregon. The Oregon Legislature has the power to change this Mission Statement. Such a change could lead to an attitude adjustment on behalf of Port leadership.
We are continuing to work on the enhancement of freight capability throughout Oregon. Special project areas include:
- Re-establishment of container shipping at the Port of Portland.
- Establishment of an intermodal facility in the Southern Willamette Valley.
- Enhancing port capability at the mouth of the Columbia River, with improved rail links to the interior.
- Bringing container ships to the Port of Coos Bay.
- Improving short line rail capabilities.
- Investigating enhanced marine barge capability along the Columbia River.
We welcome recommendations as to improvements in freight shipping capability throughout the state. We continue to advocate for an establishment of an Oregon Shipping Authority as a public corporation, dedicated to ensuring that Oregon businesses have access to freight shipping systems which are reliable, predictable, and cost-effective. Our Oregon Shipping Group will continue to be an advocate for such development.