The Port of Oakland has identified areas of upgrades for its seaport to accommodate growing cargo throughput.
Port of Oakland Executive Director, Danny Wan, began a Bay Area Council on 15 July commenting that the container ships anchoring in the San Francisco Bay bring public attention to the fact that the port impacts everyone.
Vessel calls are delayed at major ports around the world including Oakland because unprecedented cargo volume has strained the global supply chain.
Wan said the port, along with its business partners, produce an annual economic impact of around $130 billion.
“We are a job-generating engine; we are providing services to both passengers and cargo and all the goods…you use; so, support us and we’ll support you,” he said.
Wan highlighted several improvements ongoing or planned to improve port efficiency:
- Additional International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers are being trained and joining the workforce at the Oakland Seaport to handle the cargo surge and future cargo growth
- The Port will conduct a land use study, transportation study, and an electrical infrastructure study (to support its seaport path to zero emissions)
- Three of the tallest container cranes at Oakland operational in Spring 2021 at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT)
- Everport Terminal Services purchased a new crane that will be operational this summer
- The Port is facilitating a battery electric truck demonstration project and built ten new electric charging stations to power the experimental trucks
- A new 466,000 square-foot warehouse at the port is complete and ready for business
- Freight Intelligence Transportation System – a suite of 15 demonstration technology projects along or near roadways leading in and out of the port has begun
- Strategic planning is underway for the Port of Oakland Maritime Division to guide the division for its long-term, future growth
Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) Client Services Manager Susan Ransom works at OICT, which moves around 60-70% of the containerised cargo at the port.
Cargo moving through OICT includes medical supplies, furniture, appliances, fitness equipment, and household goods.
“We turn about 15-20 ships a week…and have invested millions and millions of dollars in the largest cranes,” she said.
“We’re very bullish on Oakland and are growing our volume here.”
