Port's container traffic increase spurs west Hayden Island push. (expansion of Port of Portland to meet increasing demand for services)

The demands of just-in-time inventory management and changes in the ocean shipping business increased container traffic through the Port of Portland 25 percent in 1992 and will add at least 20 percent more volume this year.

The activity is spurring the port to aggressively assemble parcels of land totaling 700 acres on the west end of Hayden Island to expand its marine facilities. The port's marine division has also pushed for acquisition of additional cranes for handling containers. In the past year, a half-dozen steamship lines have either added calls to Portland or increased the frequency of their port calls here.

"We've been very, very, very busy, but in a positive way," said Bob Hrdlicka, marine director for the port. "We're high on the future because it looks so good for us." …