The Port of Longview is a deep-water port authority located in Longview, on the Columbia River in southwest Washington, United States. It was established in 1921 by Washingtonstate law, and operates as a unit of local government. The port is overseen by a locally elected, three-member board of commissioners. Each commissioner is elected for a six-year term and is directly responsible to the voters for port operations. The Port manages and operates a marine terminal complex where domestic and international ships and barges arrive and depart, and bulk, break bulk and project cargos are loaded or unloaded by local labor union workers. Union workers operate lifting and moving equipment including cranes, forklifts and reach stackers. These workers belong to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 21. Transportation routes connecting to the Port include the Columbia River shipping channel, the BNSF Railway and Union Pacific railroads, and north–south Interstate 5, the main highway running from Mexico to Canada. The Port also leases industrial land and contributes financially towards recreational projects in Cowlitz County.
Mission
To promote commerce and economic development through strategic public investments for the benefit of our communities.
The BNSF Railway and Union Pacific railroad main lines run parallel to Interstate 5 approximately five miles from the Port. The Longview Switching Company switches trains from the railroad main lines into the Port. From there, Port locomotives move trains and rail cars to the marine terminals and industrial locations.
Highway
The Port is located approximately three miles from north-south Interstate 5, the main roadway stretching from Mexico to Canada.
Facilities
Facilities include eight marine terminals, covered and uncovered warehouses, and open storage areas for temporary storage of cargo prior to loading on trucks, specialized trailers or rail cars.
Bridgeview Terminal – export bulk facility for agri-products, chemical, and minerals
Berth 4 – bulk loading terminal available for redevelopment
Berth 5 – Petroleum coke export facility operated by the Port for BP
In 1911, the state of Washington enacted laws allowing people to establish port districts and elect commissioners to administer those districts and oversee their development and operation. In 1921, the Port of Longview was established by a vote of the people residing within the localport district boundary. Originally established as the Port of Kelso, the Port was later changed by a vote of the people, to the Port of Longview, because a state law required ports to be named after the largest city within the district. Original cargo activity consisted of forest products exports to Asia. These exports began to decrease in the 1980s, and today are no longer handled by the Port. To replace log cargos, the Port now handles steel, bulk and project cargos.
