06/01/2026
On May 28, Port staff observed an oil sheen originating from beneath Pier 2 and notified the U.S. Coast Guard and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Working alongside our team and our contracted response organization, agencies quickly established a unified response effort to assess the source, contain the release, and protect public and environmental safety.
Response crews deployed approximately 2,600 feet of containment boom around the pier, while dive teams worked to identify the source of the release. Investigations determined the oil originated from a previously undocumented legacy fueling pipeline system beneath the pier containing residual bunker oil. Divers successfully disconnected the submerged section of pipeline from the pier, capped it, and plugged the pier-side section to prevent any further release. No additional discharge was observed during these operations.
Cleanup operations continue beneath and around the pier, with shoreline assessment teams surveying affected areas and recovering impacted material. Due to tidal conditions, much of this work must be conducted during limited operational windows. Response teams remain on scene to monitor conditions, assess for any secondary releases from the remaining legacy piping infrastructure, and continue cleanup efforts.
The response is being conducted in close coordination with the US Coast Guard, NOAA, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. These agencies, and the Port, remain committed to minimizing environmental impacts while reducing disruptions to Port operations and local fishing activities.
