Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Port of Portland is reporting a 34 percent decline in shipping tonnage over the last year.

Spokesman Josh Thomas says that may sound bad, but compared to the free fall the port witnessed earlier this year, it's an improvement.

He says economic activity appears to have bottomed out and is now beginning to show some growth.

Josh Thomas: "There's been some good news but it's more accurate to call it better news compared to where we've been. We saw improvements in grain, mineral bulks and surprisingly autos. It's been refreshing to see some turn around because everything the Port does is directly related also to jobs and economic benefits for the local community and the region."

In 2008, the port had handled about 11 million tons of goods by September. This year, it's handled about 7 million.

Cargo not shipped in containers suffered the worst decline at 66 percent. Grain did the best, with only a 10 percent decline.