The Port of Portland has announced a new international shipping service that will provide regional exporters with direct access to ports in Japan, Euclid Infotech reported.

Starting July 11, the monthly service provided by Westwood Shipping Lines and the Port of Portland will have the capacity to handle more than 200 containers per month under a six month contract.

"Westwood's Portland service will carry non-refrigerated containerised agricultural products including hay, as well as paper products and other commodities from valley, upriver and inland customers. Ports of call in Japan will include Shimizu, Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka and Nagoya, as well as Busan, South Korea. Westwood provides service to more ports in Japan on a direct call basis than any other carrier,” the company said.