<Tr> <Td> "</Td> <Td> clearly revealed the political nature of the Port of Portland Commission . It has always been embroiled in politics; it is still embroiled in politics...The unpaid job of Port commissioner remains one of the choicest rewards that a governor can bestow upon his close friends and largest political backers . The very nature of this kind of an appointive process is fraught with potential conflicts of interest . </Td> <Td>" </Td> </Tr> <P> In 2010, the port signed a 25 - year lease to allow Philippines - based International Container Terminal Services to operate Terminal 6, the sole shipping container terminal in Oregon . Workers at the terminal claimed that ICTSI "decimated labor relations with its Portland workforce by creating a work atmosphere of hostility, based on a model of employee intimidation that is ICTSI's method of operation around the world ." In February 2014, a safety inspection at Terminal 6 by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration "found ICTSI Oregon to be in violation of more than a dozen worker safety codes, such as not informing employees about potential exposure to airborne lead and having workers operate machinery that lacked proper guards against flying objects ." OSHA imposed fines of $18,360 against ICTSI Oregon for the violations . Hanjin, a South Korean - based shipping line which accounted for 78% of all container traffic to the Port of Portland, stopped serving the Port at Terminal 6 on March 9, 2015 . This decision came during a labor dispute between the terminal operator ICTSI and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union which represents dockworkers at all West Coast ports, including Portland . In 2013, when first announcing its intent to withdraw from Portland, Hanjin executives cited "substantially increased costs" under ICTSI management as a cause for its departure to other ports . The second - largest shipping line, Hapag - Lloyd, ended service on March 26, 2015 . To replace connections to Idaho, the Port began a barge service carrying pulse exports from Lewiston to Portland in December of that year . Westwood Shipping Lines ceased service to Terminal 6 in May 2016, with no container ships calling on Terminal 6 since that time . In February 2017, the Port of Portland and ICTSI announced they had reached a deal to end their lease agreement early . </P> <P> The Port of Portland has been considered a regional government with jurisdiction in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties since 1973 . </P> <P> Nine commissioners regulate the organization; they are appointed by the Governor and approved by the State Senate . Each commissioner serves a four - year term and can be reinstated to the same post indefinitely . One requirement of commissioners is that, of the nine, two must live in each of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties while the remaining three are free to live where they choose . </P>

Is the port of portland a government agency