PORTLAND (AP) – For the first time in 24 years, cargo that’s not shipped in containers may soon pass through Portland’s city-owned International Marine Terminal.

A Canadian company called Logistec wants to import lumber from northern Europe, mostly from Germany, for the New England market. Logistec, which provides cargo handling services on the east coasts of the United States and Canada, also wants to export Maine-made pulp and paper products.

Logistec says it’s in the final stages of making a decision about opening up a Portland operation, and Portland Transportation Director Jeff Monroe said the first ship bringing forest products could arrive next month. But a potential rival is not pleased with the deal.

Sprague Energy, based in Portsmouth, N.H., said the operation will occupy waterfront space it needs and hinder Sprague’s own plans for building a forest-products cargo center there. Sprague also said its planned operation would be larger than Logistec’s and provide more jobs and money for the city.

Portland agreed to delay the deal with Logistec to consider Sprague’s objections, but finally went ahead and approved it, reasoning that the city did not want to give Sprqague a monopoly.

Sprague, which owns Merrill’s Marine Terminal, also wants to import lumber from Europe using the International Marine Terminal, the only facility in the port that can handle containers.

But the company’s managing director for materials handling, Bruce Atkins, said Logistec’s operation would be a direct competitor for his company. Atkins said the city would better off waiting for Sprague to develop its center rather than making a deal with Logistec.

“The short-term fix to issues are never the most prudent way to go,” he said. “It will be extremely disappointing to both our intentions and our efforts if this is to happen.”

Portland’s Monroe believes the port will have enough space for both companies to operate.

The issue develops as lumber importing increases. In a span of five or six years, the volume of framing lumber imported from Europe has increased from zero to 2 billion board feet annually, said Al Schuler, an economist with the U.S. Forest Service. It’s about twice the amount of framing lumber that Maine produces annually.