Port of Portland ready to bribe shippers to come here
Why are we going to destroy wildlife habitat on West Hayden Island for a mysterious shipping terminal when Portland's import and export traffic is already so pitiful that the port authority is preparing to pay shippers to keep coming here? It's so unnecessary. Just make-work for some Goldschmidt Network cronies, apparently.
| Posted at 1:45 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (10)
The proposed West Hayden Island terminal is not a container terminal. The story is not really on point.
Posted by dg | January 9, 2013 2:40 PM
How does this pencil out for those of us paying 6.4 cents per thousand in property tax for the Portland of Portland? Just asking...
This has echoes in the Tri-Met imbroglio: a Board appointed by the Governor to guide the Port of Oregon supported by the taxes of the Metro region.
Posted by Fred Stovel | January 9, 2013 3:38 PM
The proposed West Hayden Island terminal is not a container terminal.
Since you seem to be in the know, exactly what is going to be shipped through Hayden island if it's built? Nobody at Goldschmidt Central has ever given anyone a straight answer to that question.
The story is directly on point, because it confirms Portland's status as a second-tier port that will never move up in the ranks because of its inferior location.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 9, 2013 5:40 PM
Well somebody needs to pay for union wage increases, why not let the government pay it?
Posted by Mcinor | January 9, 2013 6:23 PM
Good question Jack.
The intentions of those who want this West Hayden Island land needs to be put on the table, as to why this is such a critical need, or shall I say want?
Posted by clinamen | January 9, 2013 6:23 PM
It's for corporate welfare and, as every right-thinking American should know, corporate welfare is never wrong...
Posted by Mike Austin | January 10, 2013 11:19 AM
Welfare help for the little guy gets people upset, corporate welfare is fine?
Would be interesting to have a money chart on who gets what.
Posted by clinamen | January 10, 2013 12:15 PM
Those who fail to understand Season 2 of The Wire are doomed to repeat it. The industry will continue to consolidate at a few larger, more logistically favorable ports. The uion infighting isn't helping.
Ships are getting bigger, especially with upcoming Panama Canal improvements. No incentive will change the treacherous Columbia Bar, nor the barely-passable ship channel, which seemingly cannot be dredged deeply enough.
Long Beach and Oakland can handle many times the number of containers just fine, and they have none of these disadvantages. Time to see the writing on the wall.
Posted by Downtown Denizen | January 10, 2013 12:54 PM
First para should read "union infighting". The recent problems have a lot to do with shippers tipping the scales in favor of the other ports, which they already like better for those other reasons.
Posted by Downtown Denizen | January 10, 2013 12:56 PM
"Well somebody needs to pay for union wage increases, why not let the government pay it?"
With the new PoP incentive plan, we will. Just where do you think "government" money comes from? So, the longshoreman union throws a fit, the shipping companies and the port lose money, somehow the union is placated so they go back to work, and we pay the damages. I love how the "free" market works. Now let's get government out of it.
And Jack is right. Portland is at best a second tier port and will never be anything more. There is no justification to expand onto Hayden Island if they have to give incentives just to keep the port business alive. However, many local businesses and upriver farmers need Portland's port, so I hope it survives just to keep the region's economy healthy.
Posted by Nolo | January 11, 2013 2:16 AM