the salem municipal port authority was established in 1982 with the intention to revitalize and coordinate shipping in the port district. in 2005, the salem city industrial district brownfield development area was created to spur re-use of brownfields, including numerous properties within and adjacent to the port district, which is located along the southern banks of the river between the salem river cut-off and the route 49 bridge just outside the downtown area. it encompasses several terminal and wharf facilities for barges and container ships for bulk and break bulk cargo, and shipping containers.