In an official statement following the loss of the Hapag-Lloyd MPS direct service call at Portland, the operator said that attracting new business will be a challenging task.
For Terminal 6 to be successful it said, the ILWU “must signal to potential container shipping lines that its almost three-year campaign of work stoppages, slowdowns, and safety gimmicks at Terminal 6 has come to an end.”
It added: “While ICTSI Oregon will continue efforts to attract new customers, no carrier will want to make a long-term commitment to the terminal so long as ILWU workers delay cargo and vessels as a strong-arm tactic to get what they want.”
Meanwhile, the operator expressed its disappointment surrounding Hapag-Lloyd’s decision to cease its call at Portland and added that the carrier has been very supportive and loyal to the Portland market.
Coupled with Hanjin’s recent announcement to leave Portland and discontinue its Asia service, the operator said that Hapag-Lloyd’s departure will adversely affect regional businesses that rely on the terminal.
Despite these challenges, the operator said it’s taking prompt action to generate new business and is working in conjunction with the Port of Portland to seek new carriers that can capitalise on the opportunities to serve the lucrative Asia-Europe market.