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Port's Cargo Business Drops by Staff Portland Business Journal, January 21, 2009

Port of Portland handled more than 2 percent fewer tons of marine cargo in 2008, according to year-end statistics released Wednesday.

The port handled 14.1 million tons last year, down from 14.3 million a year earlier. The number of ocean-going vessels calling the port, meanwhile, fell nearly 7 percent to 766.

Business fell considerably in December, when the 847,972 tons of cargo handled was a 27 percent drop from December 2007.

The port reported calendar-year declines in nearly all categories last year: 13.2 percent for breakbulk, 6.4 percent for container cargo, 9.2 percent for autos.

Only mineral bulk and grain made modest annual gains: 1.1 percent and 0.1 percent respectively.