Port of Vancouver USA

What Port of Vancouver USA does

The Port of Vancouver USA is a public port authority established in 1912 under Washington State law (RCW Title 53) and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. It operates five marine terminals with 13 berths along the Columbia River at a 43-foot draft, 106 river miles from the Pacific Ocean, providing deep-water access for break bulk, bulk, project cargo, automobiles, grains, mineral ores, and agricultural commodities. The port serves shippers, cargo handlers, manufacturers, and industrial tenants through multimodal logistics infrastructure that integrates marine, rail, and trucking capabilities, including 42 miles of internal rail track with direct connections to all seven Class I railroads in North America (BNSF, Union Pacific, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and others) and proximity to interstates I-5 and I-84. The port's specialized equipment includes two mobile harbor cranes capable of lifting 140 tons each and proprietary innovations such as the Grattix Stormwater Treatment System for zinc-pollution removal from galvanized metal roofs. Governance is provided by an elected three-member Board of Commissioners; day-to-day operations are led by CEO Julianna Marler (appointed 2017 as the port's first female CEO) and a staff of approximately 125 employees.

The port's product portfolio centers on marine terminal operations and industrial property leasing across approximately 850 acres of marine and industrial property and over 3 million square feet of facilities. Supporting offerings include warehouse and storage services (over 500,000 square feet of covered storage plus 100+ acres of outdoor laydown area), Foreign Trade Zone #296 covering all of Clark County, heavy lift services, and the Terminal 1 waterfront redevelopment project featuring retail, commercial, residential, and public amenities. More than 50 tenant businesses occupy port property across diverse sectors, including United Grain Corporation (operating the largest grain export terminal on the U.S. West Coast, shipping 6 million metric tons annually), Subaru of America (the largest Subaru gateway in North America, processing approximately 75,000-80,000 vehicles annually), NuStar Energy and Marathon Petroleum (petroleum and liquid bulk), Vancouver Bulk Terminals (mineral ores), Great Western Malting Company (the oldest malting company in the western United States, at the port since 1935), Farwest Steel, Pacific Coast Shredding, Foss Maritime, and Auto Warehousing Co.

The port generates revenue through a tariff-based pricing system for marine terminal services (dockage, wharfage, storage, demurrage, equipment rentals, and security fees), recurring lease income from industrial and commercial tenants, ancillary Foreign Trade Zone services, and a property tax levy of approximately $0.21 per $1,000 of assessed value. Direct operating revenue reached $49.97 million in FY2025, while the port's broader regional economic impact totals approximately $2.9 billion annually, supporting an estimated 20,000 regional jobs and generating $87.6 million in state and local tax revenue (an 11:1 return on public contribution). In 2024 the port handled 7.49 million metric tons of cargo across 400 vessel calls and continues to invest in long-horizon infrastructure through projects such as the $251 million West Vancouver Freight Access Project (completed 2018), the Terminal 5 soda ash facility (nearing completion 2026), and Terminal 1 dock replacement (started October 2023).

Name

Port of Vancouver USA

Legal name

Port of Vancouver USA

Website

https://portvanusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Port of Vancouver USA is a public port authority established in 1912, operating five marine terminals and 850 acres of industrial property on the Columbia River with rail, highway, and deep-water access. It serves shippers, manufacturers, and cargo tenants including United Grain Corporation and Subaru of America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port & Maritime Logistics

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation (483113)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Terminals & Cargo Handling Infrastructure (RoRo, Bulk, Container) (IMAFAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF), Marine/Port-Connected Pipeline Terminals (Dock/Jetty Tank Farms) (TLAGAKAL), Steel & Metals Terminals (Coils, Plates, Rebar, Pipes) (TLAHADAC), Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE)

Keywords

• Marine terminal services
• Industrial property leasing
• Multi-modal logistics
• Cargo handling operations
• Foreign trade zone

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Others, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Marine Terminal Operations: Revenue from dockage, wharfage, service and facilities charges, storage and demurrage, equipment rentals, and security fees charged to vessels using port facilities. Tariff-based pricing with various increases effective July 2026 (6.0% for dockage/wharfage, 2.9% for storage/equipment).
2. Industrial and Commercial Property Leases: Lease revenue from more than 50 tenant businesses occupying port property including manufacturing, logistics, food processing, and energy sectors. Tenants include United Grain Corporation, Subaru of America, NuStar Energy, and many others.
3. Property Tax Levy: Public port authority collects property tax levy (approximately $0.21 per $1,000 of assessed value) generating about $13.39 million annually. Tax funds support capital improvements, debt service, and infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Port of Vancouver USA operates five marine terminals with 13 berths along the Columbia River, handling break bulk, bulk, and project cargo for shipping companies and cargo handlers. It also leases approximately 850 acres of marine and industrial property with over 3 million square feet of buildings and facilities to more than 50 tenant businesses across manufacturing, logistics, food processing, and energy sectors, and provides Foreign Trade Zone #296 services covering all of Clark County.

Product overview

Port of Vancouver USA is a public port authority offering a unified portfolio of marine terminal operations and industrial facilities. The core offerings include five marine terminals with 13 berths for handling break bulk, bulk, and project cargo; approximately 850 acres of industrial property with over 3 million square feet of facilities for 50+ tenant businesses; and the Terminal 1 waterfront redevelopment project. Supporting infrastructure includes 42 miles of internal rail track, over 500,000 square feet of warehouse storage, and Foreign Trade Zone #296 services. The port also provides heavy lift capabilities via two 140-ton mobile harbor cranes. This is not a software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Terminals Five terminals with 13 berths located along the Columbia River, 106 river miles from the Pacific Ocean, handling break bulk, bulk, and project cargo for shipping companies, cargo handlers, and importers. Includes facilities for automobiles, grains, mineral ores, agricultural commodities, and liquid bulks.
• Terminal 1 Waterfront Development A waterfront development project on the Columbia River featuring retail, commercial, and residential spaces, plus public amenities including Vancouver Landing. Century-old dock replacement began in October 2023.
• Industrial Facilities and Property Leasing Approximately 850 acres of marine and industrial property with over 3 million square feet of buildings, land, and facilities available for lease to manufacturing, logistics, food processing, energy, and distribution tenants. Includes shovel-ready lots and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
• Foreign Trade Zone #296

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.9 billion in annual regional economic benefit
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and minor.

• Greater Portland IncregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization partnership to promote trade and economic growth in the Greater Portland/Vancouver area.
• Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chamber partnership supporting business development and community engagement in Vancouver area.
• Identity Clark County (ICC)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development organization partnership promoting Clark County business growth and investment.
• City of Vancouver WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partnership for coordinated development, infrastructure, and economic growth initiatives.
• Visit Vancouver USAregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism promotion partnership to attract visitors and showcase waterfront developments.
• Workforce Southwest WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership providing employer support, training, and job placement services aligned with port and tenant labor needs.
• Choose Washington MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide business promotion publication partnership.
• Clark CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partnership for regional development, permitting, and planning services.
• CREDC (Columbia River Economic Development Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic economic development partnership providing labor market data and strategic partnerships for regional workforce development.
• Workforce Development CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce development partnership supporting job training and employment pipelines.
• ILWU Local 4coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union partnership supplying skilled maritime workers since 1937 for port operations including waterfront work.
• Clark CollegeregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partnership providing career-connected learning, degree programs, and K-12 pathway support for port-related workforce needs.
• Washington State University VancouverregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-year research university partnership advancing regional workforce development and educational opportunities.
• Partners In CareersregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer development partnership providing internships, job shadows, and classroom speaking opportunities for students.
• Career Connect Southwest WashingtonregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer education partnership providing hands-on work-based learning experiences for students.
• Cascadia Tech AcademyregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer and technical education partnership preparing students for in-demand port and logistics industry jobs.
• BNSF RailwaycoreTechnology or IntegrationClass I railroad providing direct unit train and carload service from port facilities to north/south and east/west mainline corridors.
• Union Pacific RailroadcoreTechnology or IntegrationClass I railroad providing direct unit train and carload service from port facilities.
• Canadian National RailroadregionalTechnology or IntegrationClass I railroad connection through port rail network for international trade to/from Canada.
• Canadian Pacific RailroadregionalTechnology or IntegrationClass I railroad connection through port rail network for international trade to/from Canada.
• Ducks UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partnership on Columbia River Wetland Mitigation Bank, first of its kind in Clark County, restoring 154 acres of wetlands.
• Clark County Mitigation PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on wetland mitigation bank development and ecosystem restoration.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Port of Longview: Adjacent Washington public port on the Columbia River handling bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo with similar draft and rail-access profile. Direct geographic competitor for grain, mineral, and forest products export volumes in the lower Columbia system.
• Port of Tacoma: Washington state public port on Commencement Bay handling containers, autos, and bulk cargo with rail connections to Class I networks. Compares as a multipurpose West Coast port with overlapping automotive import tenants and similar rail-access economics.
• Port of Portland: Oregon public port authority operating marine terminals, industrial parks, and PDX airport in the same Columbia River / Pacific Northwest trade corridor. Comparable multipurpose port with bulk, auto, and container handling serving overlapping Asia-Pacific and inland U.S. markets.
• Port of Stockton: Inland California public port handling bulk, breakbulk, and liquid cargo via deep-water channel with Class I rail access. Comparable inland-river-port operating model, tenant mix, and use of draft-constrained facilities to serve agricultural and energy export markets.
• Port of Kalama: Small Washington public port on the Columbia River specializing in grain exports and bulk liquid handling. Directly comparable in scale, governance structure, and tenant mix, competing for similar agricultural and energy cargo flows.

Broad incumbents

• Port of Oakland: Major California public port and key U.S. agricultural export gateway with deep-water berths and intermodal rail connections. Competes for grain and bulk export volumes from U.S. Midwest origins moving through West Coast ports.
• Port of Seattle: Larger Washington public port operating container terminals, cruise facilities, and SEA airport in the same Puget Sound region. Broader portfolio and deeper draft than Vancouver USA, but competes for regional auto-import and Pacific Rim container volumes.
• Port of Long Beach: One of the largest U.S. container ports, operating deep-water terminals with >50-foot draft and extensive Class I rail connections. Competes with Vancouver USA for Pacific Rim cargo destined to U.S. inland markets, with structural advantages in vessel size and container throughput scale.

Others

• BC Maritime Employers Association (Port of Vancouver BC operators): Cross-border counterpart at Port of Vancouver, BC, the largest port in Canada and a major Pacific Rim container and bulk hub. Comparable name and Columbia River–adjacent geography, and competing directly for Pacific Northwest import/export flows and inland U.S. cargo via Canadian National and Canadian Pacific rail corridors.

Regional players

• Port of Coos Bay: Oregon public port handling wood products, bulk, and project cargo with rail connections. Comparable smaller multipurpose West Coast port operating under similar public-port-authority governance model, though further from major Pacific Rim trade lanes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/portvanusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Port of Vancouver USA