The Port of Oakland have predicted that containerized cargo volume moving through the city of Oakland will increase 2 percent annually for the next five years – due to nearly $700 million dollars investment from outside investors.
Executive Director Chris Lytle told a meeting of the Port’s 55-member Efficiency Task Force: “This is good, measured growth that’s not debilitating for our community or our operations”.
“A big shout out to those who have stepped up to make the investments that will drive our growth – they’re showing faith in Oakland’s future.”
Mr. Lytle stated that the investment in facilities and infrastructure at the port is boosting Oakland’s global trade status.
Much of the investment at the port will be put into a range of projects, many of which will go live by the summer, including the completion of the TraPac marine terminal’s $60 million expansion (doubling the size of Port of Oakland’s footprint), the development of a $52 million Seaport Logistics Complex, and the opening of a $90 million Cool port Oakland refrigerated distribution centre.
Read the “Optimizing Port Throughput” technical paper for discussion on managing the growth of ports worldwide
A further development at Seventh Street, one of the Port’s main entryways, is still being planned – with an estimated investment of $500 million.
The project looks to separate the rail lines from the roads, and introduce new technology to help freight haulers navigate the Port.
On the subject of the planned developments, Mr. Lytle stated: “How do you make traffic flow at the Port? How do you eliminate congestion points?
“We couldn’t do it without the support of the County Transportation Commission.”
Port Maritime Director John Driscoll has predicted that the new development will increase cargo volume at Oakland – the refrigerated “Cool Port” could account for more than 50,000 TEU annually alone.
