The Port of Portland is governed by the Port Services Act 1995.  The Port is primarily a bulk port providing for both import and export of a range of commodities including grains, foresty products, fertilisers, aluminium products, mineral sands and livestock.  Safe harbour and operating facilities for a diverse fishing industry are also provided.

The Board of Directors and management have a strong commitment to ensuring continual improvement of the Port of Portland's environmental management performance. This commitment comes from the understanding that quality environmental management is integral to quality work practice and successful business performance.

To protect and improve the state of the environment the Port of Portland will:

• Comply with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations and all other requirements to which the Port subscribes, including discharge our obligations under the Port Services Act 1995 and the Port of Portland Environmental Management Plan.
• Develop and maintain environmental policies and procedures in consultation with employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, lessees, port users, government service providers and the Portland community.
• Establish and pursue environmental objectives and targets that are designed to improve the environmental management performance of the Port.
• Apply measures to prevent pollution of the environment (e.g. oil spills, contamination of marine ecosystems and fugitive dust generation).
• Ensure environmental awareness and competence for Port of Portland personnel.
• Encourage environmental awareness and responsibility for all personnel operating within the Port's jurisdiction through the establishment of Port User operating licence, contracts, inductions and regular communication through the Port User Safety Environment Committee group.
  
• Maintain a certified Environmental Management System in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004