Building strength and momentum amid uncertainty
By Julianna Marler, Chief Executive Officer at Port of Vancouver USA

In 2025, the most common word in global trade was “uncertainty.” Tariffs shifted; trade alliances realigned; commodity markets fluctuated. Yet amid that turbulence, the Port of Vancouver USA continued doing what we do best: moving cargo, supporting jobs and delivering economic value for Southwest Washington.

Key details from the 2026 Port Report

A diverse cargo portfolio in action
In a year when many ports saw disruption, our diversification strategy proved its value. We moved 7.45mt (million metric tonnes) of cargo across our docks, welcomed 339 vessel calls and moved 66,000 rail cars through our multimodal freight network.

A defining moment came last spring when we broke ground on a new soda ash export facility at Berth 7 together with Solvay and Vancouver Bulk Terminal. By the end of 2026, the Port of Vancouver USA will host the world’s most advanced facility for exporting this vital mineral. More than 3mt per year of U.S.-sourced soda ash will move through our port, down the Columbia River and to markets around the globe. This project solidifies our position as a leading gateway for moving bulk commodities used to build the modern world.

Across the rest of our waterfront, aluminum imports increased and project cargo volumes were up over the prior year. Our tenant United Grain Corporation handled more agricultural commodities than ever before: 6.2mt of grain exported, making up 11% of all national wheat exports.
These results reinforce a basic truth: ports capable of handling multiple cargo types are best suited to safeguard supply chain resilience and reduce bottlenecks for industrial and energy shippers. With our versatile maritime capacity, we stand out as a smart choice for West Coast trade.

The Port of Vancouver USA advantage: Infrastructure, location and more
None of this is possible without the Columbia River. It is America’s No. 1 gateway for wheat and No. 2 gateway for corn and soy. Its deepwater navigation channel is a corridor for automobiles, energy infrastructure and so much more. Our federal, state and local policymakers have been strong advocates for maintaining this marine highway, and we will continue pressing for the investment needed to keep it a reliable artery for commerce.

Our rail access and multimodal connections are equally critical. Those 66,000 rail cars in 2025 show how our port is linked to markets across the continent. That connectivity is one of the reasons we maintain 100% industrial occupancy across our 50 tenant businesses, which are engaged in everything from food processing to advanced manufacturing.
At a time when available industrial waterfront land on the U.S. West Coast is increasingly scarce, ports with developable acreage and permit-ready sites hold a distinct competitive advantage. The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the few Pacific Northwest ports with room to grow, and we intend to leverage our assets strategically through public-private partnerships that benefit our region for decades to come.
Today, we see domestic manufacturing investment and clean energy infrastructure projects creating demand for exactly the kind of heavy industrial cargo we specialize in handling. Our location and capabilities position us to meet that demand head-on.

How we’re investing in people and place
Moving cargo requires skilled people, and it’s why we continue to invest in our local workforce. In fall 2025, we welcomed a first-of-its-kind maritime training program for high school students at Cascadia Tech Academy. This program trains skilled maritime workers for port operations, giving young people a direct pathway to living-wage careers on the waterfront. We look forward to celebrating its first graduating class in 2026.

For our port team, maritime workforce development is a form of strategic infrastructure. It is the human foundation that makes every other investment at this port possible. Whether it’s moving Subarus, piloting ships or transiting cargo, our businesses will need a strong pipeline of trained workers in the years ahead.

I am also pleased to report that we have now earned our 17th consecutive clean audit in 2026 and maintained an ‘AA-’ bond rating. We are ahead of schedule in meeting the goals of our Climate Action Plan, offsetting 100% of electrical usage in port utility-controlled buildings. Between our community and our environment, we’re serious about our commitment to creating a sustainable, prosperous future.

Port of Vancouver USA: A strategic outlook for 2026 and beyond
As I look ahead to the next five to ten years, I see cargo diversification becoming ever more relevant as shippers seek flexibility and resilience in their West Coast trade routes. I see growing demand for permit-ready industrial waterfront land, reshaping how companies evaluate port partnerships. And I see the Port of Vancouver USA playing a central role in enabling domestic manufacturing, clean energy infrastructure and critical minerals supply chains.

I am proud to say that the state of the Port of Vancouver USA today is strong. Our foundation is solid, and our team is ready. Above all, I believe that the best chapters for this port and this community are still ahead of us.