Port of Oakland: investors show faith in future of global gateway

Oakland, Calif. – June 26, 2017: A senior Port of Oakland executive says investors are making long-term commitments to his international shipping hub.  Maritime Director John Driscoll said last week that the trend bodes well for Oakland’s future in global trade.

“A lot of people believe in the Port,” Mr. Driscoll told a 40-member Efficiency Task Force created two years ago to improve Oakland’s cargo-handling performance.  “They’re putting their money where their mouth is and I’m proud that they see Oakland as a major trade gateway.”

Mr. Driscoll said the Port envisions more than $600 million worth of infrastructure investment.  It’s coming from private developers, government grants and Port funds, he explained.

Projects ranging from marine terminal improvements to new distribution centers are either on the drawing board or under construction, Mr. Driscoll said.  They’re expected to strengthen Oakland’s position as a magnet for containerized imports and exports. “These are game-changers,” Mr. Driscoll said.  “They will give us first-class logistics capabilities.”

The Maritime Director gave his audience of trade and transportation officials a progress report on key developments in Oakland. Among the highlights:

• Construction began last month on a 283,000-square-foot Cool Port Oakland refrigerated distribution center.  Scheduled to open next summer, Cool Port will prepare chilled and frozen beef, pork and poultry for Asian export.  Developers estimate the location could handle up to 37,000 20-foot containers of cargo annually.
• A project is underway at Oakland International Container Terminal to raise the height of four ship-to-shore cranes.  Two more are scheduled to be heightened at nearby TraPac terminal.  Taller cranes will help terminals handle the newest megaships now calling West Coast ports.
• TraPac is in the midst of expansion that will increase its Oakland footprint by 86 percent next year.
• A 6-acre Drayage Truck Center is being designed to support the more than 3,000 harbor truckers visiting Oakland daily.  It would provide fueling stations with diesel and alternative fuels, truck scales and retail outlets in the heart of the port.  The center could help keep truck traffic out of nearby residential neighborhoods.

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this press release reflect not historical facts but forecasts, projections, estimates and other “forward-looking statements.”  In this respect, the words “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “forecast,” “assume” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such forecasts, projections, estimates and other forward-looking statements are not intended as representations of fact or guarantees of results.  Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those that have been forecasted, estimated or projected.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.  The Port assumes no obligation  to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any changes in the Port’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Media Contacts:
Mike Zampa,
Communications Director
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1565
[email protected]

Robert Bernardo,
Communications Manager
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1401
Click here to contact Robert Bernardo

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