Columbia River Steamship Operators' Association, Inc.

Columbia River Steamship Operators' Association, Inc. Proudly Serving Ocean Shipping Interests calling in the Oregon and Southwest Washington areas since 1922 CRSOA was established in 1922.

Its area of influence includes the ports and waterways serving Oregon, southern Washington, and Idaho. It was originally named the Portland Steamship Operators Association and continued as such until 1994 when the name was changed to reflect a broader venue. Its area of influence includes all the major ports and waterways in the state of Oregon, Southern Washington and Idaho. The Columbia River is

the predominant waterway in the region served by the Association. CRSOA was a major force behind the “Inland Empire” vision for linking Columbia River ports to the international trading community in the 1930’s. It supported construction of the locks and dams that made possible navigation eastward over more than 500 miles of river to Lewiston, Idaho and enabled the important interdependency objectives of hydropower, flood control, and “the greening of the desert” to be made real. It was one of the founders of the Maritime Fire and Safety Association in 1984 and played a major role in expanding MFSA to include oil and hazardous material spill prevention, response, and mitigation in the early 1990’s. CRSOA played a major role in keeping the Columbia River open during the “1996 Flood of the Century,” and played an even more important role in keeping the Columbia-Snake River System competitive during the extreme low water conditions that prevailed during the August-September time frames in 2000 and 2001. CRSOA also led the industry in the Columbia River Region’s response to the 9-11 “Attack on America” and established the Regional Maritime Security Coalition to bring Federal aid to the region for meeting national security mandates and to keep the region competitive in the post-9-11 international trading environment.

06/09/2026

The port is seeking a professional and knowledgeable Mechanic to join the team! For more information and to apply, please visit our website: https://www.portvanusa.com/about/careers/

Posting closes June 18th.

06/09/2026

Foss Maritime was founded in 1889 by Thea Foss, with a single rowboat on the Tacoma waterfront. Born on June 8, 1857, in Eidsberg, Norway, Thea built her business by putting boats to work in the waterways around her, renting them to fishermen, ferrying customers, and delivering supplies.

More than a century later, June 8 became recognized as World Ocean Day, a reminder that the waters people work on, travel through, and depend on every day need to be protected.

For Foss, that connection has been there from the beginning: from Thea’s first rowboat to today’s fleet. Our work depends on the water, and with that comes a responsibility to operate carefully and protect the places we work.

06/08/2026

"Congressional subcommittee hearings in early June questioned the reasoning behind the Trump administration’s 150-day waiver of the Jones Act, suggesting it did nothing to lower gasoline prices for consumers and did everything to threaten billions of dollars of investments in America’s shipbuilding industrial base. Critics of the waiver point to a misalignment with the President’s executive order, 'Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,' and the administration’s Maritime Action Plan, which would pump billions of dollars of public and private investment into rebuilding the US fleet, shipbuilding, ports, maritime infrastructure, and workforce training and development.

'The current waiver has created a tremendous amount of uncertainty - now 150 days - which is unprecedented,' said Crowley Maritime vice president, Global Government Relations, Clayton Heil. 'To be extended again would be another signal to the investment community and to companies like ours and to mariners that the Jones Act is unstable, and investment will flee,' he said.

Mr Heil noted that the budget request of US$550M for the US Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) for fiscal year 2027 was 'sorely needed' to modernise the long-neglected campus and support the training of seafarers. The request is included in a broader US$2.6Bn funding proposal for the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to revive the American shipbuilding industry."

Read More:

https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/unprecedented-jones-act-waiver-creates-uncertainty-stifles-billions-of-dollars-of-investment-in-us-shipbuilding-88997

"When you’re out and about in Portland on Monday, you might want to build a little more time into your travels.Ships fro...
06/08/2026

"When you’re out and about in Portland on Monday, you might want to build a little more time into your travels.

Ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy have been in town for Fleet Week, and on Monday, they’re departing.

That means bridge lifts, and that means delays. Traffic, including TriMet buses and MAX trains, can’t cross during bridge lifts."

Read More Below

The Fleet Week ships are headed home, and that means delays.

A worthwhile listen from OPB Marketplace examining navigation safety, aging infrastructure, and the critical role the Lo...
06/08/2026

A worthwhile listen from OPB Marketplace examining navigation safety, aging infrastructure, and the critical role the Lower Columbia River plays in our regional and national economy.

The story features perspectives from the Columbia River Pilots, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, CRSOA Executive Director Kate Mickelson, and others on efforts underway to enhance safety around key river crossings, including the Lewis & Clark and Astoria-Megler bridges.

As maritime commerce continues to evolve, so too must the infrastructure and technology that support the safe movement of vessels, cargo, and communities throughout the Columbia River system.

The nearly 100-year-old Lewis and Clark Bridge wasn’t built to accommodate the giant ships that now travel underneath it.

06/04/2026

What looks simple in a time-lapse represents hours of expertise and coordination. Congratulations to everyone involved.

We're proud to share this update from USCG U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River as Portland Fleet Week gets underway. ...
06/04/2026

We're proud to share this update from USCG U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River as Portland Fleet Week gets underway. Fleet Week is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the maritime community, welcome visiting service members, and celebrate the important role our maritime partners play throughout the Pacific Northwest.

We hope you'll take advantage of the many opportunities to learn, explore, and engage during this year's festivities!!

06/03/2026

The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state.

06/03/2026

The public is invited to gather in the heart of CityFair’s carnival for a Navy Colors Ceremony. This special Portland Rose Festival event is presented by

Watch as the American flag ascends the park’s historic flag pole as we celebrate the country we all call home. This is a free event and interested parties can enter at SW Pine & SW Naito.

06/03/2026

Address

200 SW Market Street, Ste 190
Portland, OR
97201

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